AN: Assume for this fic that Pema, although younger than Tenzin and Lin isn't that much younger. There's no under-aged nastiness in here.

September 145AG

Kya was Lin's maid of honor. As children, they promised to do this for one another, but Kya never thought she'd fall in love with Lin.

At first, she thought it was just a crush. Lin was with Tenzinm and Kya accepted that. She would find someone new and all would be normal again. Once the waterbender finished school, she decided to travel the world. She went to the Fire Nation and got fresh fire flakes before seeing a show at the dreaded Ember Island Playhouse. She explored the Ruins of Taku, the remnants of Wan Shi Tong's library and all kinds of interesting places.

When she came back, however, every feeling she had for Lin came flooding back. It was like her heart had never given up on the earthbender, but she was still Tenzin's. Their relationship had only gotten stronger.

Kya spent five years holding onto this secret love, and now it's much too late.

Kya should be happy for her best friend and brother, but instead she was miserable.

Not wanting to ruin the festivities, she put on her happy face and planned an awesome bachelor party.

"Come on LIN!" Kya shouted. It was time to leave.

"With them were Crown Princess Ursa, Suyin, and Senna."

"All right!" Lin was not sure what to where. Kya wouldn't tell her where they were going. She settled for a leather sleeveless top and tight jeans.

"You look hot!" Ursa told her.

The Crown Princess was openly gay. In her nation, it wasn't that abnormal. Her Aunt Azula married Ty Lee and they had two children, and no one dared to tell the Princess that her lifestyle was shameful.

"Thanks Ursa," Lin mumbled.

"Are you nervous? Afraid I might turn you," she teased.

"She gets embarrassed when anyone compliments her," Suyin pointed out. "I swear I saw her almost run away once when one of the Councilmen complimented her dress."

"Let's get some booze before we tease the bride!" Senna got them all to get into the car. They hired a driver, so they could drink all they wanted.

"First stop dinner, we need something to absorb the beer." Kya declared.

They got to an all you can eat wings place. "The perfect meal before wedding a vegetarian," Suyin said with a grin.

"He wants me to be vegetarian when I'm pregnant," Lin said with a bit of a scowl.

"Really?" Kya questioned. "Mom had an addiction to ribs during all of her pregnancies. Tenzin's nutrients once came from a lot of dead animals."

They had an assortment, sweet and sour, spicy, fried, double fried and blackened.

"This smells so good. You always know the way to my heart Kya," Lin said not realizing how Kya actually felt.

Kya grinned, but this was killing her.

No one noticed, except Suyin.

The girls feasted and once they washed their faces and hands, it was time to get to the bar.

Kya got them a table at a place that served 3L towers of beer.

They got the first one.

"This is so much beer," Senna said.

"Oh this will go fast," Suyin declared.

And it did. Then they got a second one, a third one, and a fourth one.

Now that the girls were totally sloshed, they went to the club.

"How am I supposed to dance like this?" Lin questioned.

"It's better this way," Suyin told her.

"How long have you been drinking?"

"Don't worry about it!"

Lin shook her head.

They got to the club. The alcohol made Lin totally care free. She let her hair down and did not mind showing off on the dance floor.

Kya felt frozen as she watched Lin move.

"Why aren't you dancing with her?" Suyin questioned.

"I can't."

"I always liked you for her better than Tenzin."

"Don't tell me that."

"You know it's true. He's expected. You actually give her what she needs."

They all passed out drunk at Lin's house. She would be marrying in two days. Lin liked to cuddle when she slept. She held onto Kya's arm. The waterbender could barely breathe.

As soon as she was sober enough to get up, Kya went home. She avoided everyone until it was time to get Lin into her dress.

Lin was surprised that Kya didn't come over the day before, but maybe she needed a break. Aunt Katara had gone rather crazy making sure this wedding was perfect.

"You look beautiful," Kya told her honestly as she finished her makeup.

"You're the best friend I could have asked for. I love you Kya."

Kya nodded and smiled, but she couldn't speak.

Toph gave Lin away. She walked down the aisle barefoot, so she could see. Katara was not amused.

Uncle Sokka presided over the ceremony. Of course, he made a joke about Toph's feet, and she threw a rock at him, making him abandon the altar.

The crowd laughed as Katara was getting ready to scold them both later.

It was a joyous affair. It was a vegetarian wedding, but there was plenty of booze. Food and drink were served liberally

Kya might have drunken too much to see.

Worried about her, Lin got her into her room. "What's wrong?" Kya normally knows her limits.

Kya pressed her lips to Lin's, showing a passion that the earthbender had never felt before. "I'm in love with a girl who just married my brother."

Lin had no idea. All she could do is held Kya while she cried.

"I didn't know."

"I shouldn't have told you."

"I wish you had earlier. I could have been there for you."

"Do you love him?"

"Yes."

"Then go back to him."

Lin did that once Kya insisted she was going to just sleep it off.

The earthbender never told anyone about the conversation, not even Aunt Katara. She knew Kya wouldn't want anyone to know. Kya was a beautiful girl. She'd find someone. Lin just knew it.

147AG

In February, Lin found out she was pregnant. She and Tenzin were so happy.

"I bet we're going to have an airbender," he said. Fall babies were more likely to be airbenders.

Over the next eight months, they were given loads of baby stuff from their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, and strangers in Republic City who wanted to wish them well.

"We have way too much stuff for one child," Lin told him.

"We can save some of it for the next child."

How many did he plan on them having?

In October, Lin's water broke. Tenzin rushed her to the hospital, flying on Oggi like a madman. They got there and it was 10 hours before they had their baby.

Katara checked the bending. "She's an earthbender."

Tenzin forced a smile but he was unhappy.

"Of course she is. She's a Bei Fong," Toph snapped.

Kya got a look at her niece. "She's gorgeous."

Lin loved watching Kya smile. She had a great smile.

"Her name is Jinora," Lin told them. Tenzin gulped. He had picked the name for an airbender, not an earthbender, but he couldn't exactly change it now.

It wasn't until Lin got home from the hospital that she realized how disappointed Tenzin was.

"I'm going to go lie down," Tenzin said. His tone of voice revealed it all.

"Don't worry Jinora. Your father will come around. He's a bit of an airhead." Lin was excited that her baby was healthy; it's all she had cared about

October 148AG

Jinora was turning a year old. Katara insisted on throwing a party for her, even though "she won't remember it tomorrow," Toph teased.

"Oh hush up!"

They got a cake that Jinora couldn't eat, entertainment, that she wouldn't care to watch and a bunch of friends to come, which was nice for the parents, but Jinora didn't really care, except for Aunt Kya. She loved Aunt Kya.

When the waterbender got there, Jinora giggled loudly and waved to her. She scooped the waterbender in her arms.

Lin wished Tenzin would hold Jinora like that. He only picked her up when there was no one else to take care of her.

Toph pointed out everything at the party that Jinora wouldn't care about and Lin smacked her head. "At least one grandma is excited about her granddaughter."

"I'm plenty excited, for when she can earthbend, but right now, she just needs food and naps. She doesn't need a party!"

Despite Toph's ornery behavior, the party was a blast. Uncle Sokka came with Aunt Suki. Bumi came with his girlfriend. Senna came with Tonraq. Suyin came with her fiancé Bataar. Everyone was there, except for Tenzin.

"Where's Airhead Jr.?" Toph questioned.

"I don't know where he is," Aang told her, taking no offense at still being called an airhead. "He was at the office earlier and I asked if he wanted to leave with me, but he said he'd get here later."

The party was long over by the time Tenzin got home.

"Where were you?"

"What?"

"Jinora's party."

"I forgot?"

"Your father got here. Why didn't you just go with him?"

"What's the big deal? She won't remember anyway."

Lin was sick of this argument. She wanted Tenzin to be a father to her and he kept saying, she doesn't need me yet.

She wasn't sure if he'd ever come around.

149AG

Tenzin wanted another child. Lin wanted him to parent the one he had. Since she wasn't in the mood to have a child with him, he poked holes in their condoms.

In April, Lin discovered she was pregnant. "How? We used protection."

"It doesn't always work," Tenzin said coolly. His feet were off the floor. Lin's seismic senses wouldn't help her, but she didn't quite trust him.

They still had plenty of stuff that they didn't use when Jinora was born. Lin told everyone not to send her stuff and of course, they sent her more stuff.

Tenzin figured if a fall baby didn't work than a winter maybe might. All he needed was an airbender, just one would do although he had expected four.

January 150AG

Again, everyone in the family came when Lin went into labor.

"You're going to be a big sister," Kya told Jinora. She was watching her during the delivery.

"Sister!" Jinora was very sweet. Kya just adored her and she could strangle her brother for ignoring his baby girl. He was worse than Dad had been, 100 times worse. She knew her father loved her, even if he did spend more time with Tenzin and she was bitter about it.

Aang came out to see how his granddaughter was doing. "How's my baby Bei Fong?"

"Airhead!"

Kya laughed loudly. Aang did too. "I can see her grandma has influenced her already."

"She's a Bei Fong all right."

He picked her up. "You're going to be a big sister soon."

"Sister."

"Were you mad that Bumi and I weren't airbenders?" Kya asked, after Katara had taken the toddler.

"Of course not," Aang was shocked. "How could you think that?"

"Well Tenzin's pretty mad about Jinora. He ignores her. She doesn't even call him Dad." She just calls him Airhead.

Aang wondered if that was his fault. "I did tell him (more than once) that he had to ensure the future of the Air Nation, but I never thought he would …" close himself off to non-airbending children.

"Could you talk to him?"

"Of course."

It wouldn't be today. He wanted a time when Tenzin would be calmer.

Four hours later, baby Ikki was born. Katara picked up her second grandchild. "She's a waterbender!"

"WHAT?" Tenzin yelled.

He shocked everyone.

Lin shivered.

"Don't be mad at Lin. Those are your genes, probably." Who knows who Lin's father is.

"Yeah, her father was a firebender," Toph said.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"So our next kid could be a firebender?" Tenzin looked ready to pass out.

"Maybe we should talk," Aang took him away.

Lin groaned. "I don't care what my kids can bend, but I don't want to do this again." Watching Tenzin ignoring his child and getting nowhere whether she asks nicely, begs, bribes, nags, or screams.

Kya hugged her. "It's going to be okay. I'll teach her to waterbend, and she'll be awesome!"

She looked more like Kya than she did Tenzin or Lin.

"How is neither of them an airbender?" Tenzin questioned.

"I think you're missing the bigger picture," Aang said. "Yes the world needs more airbenders and yes we have a responsibility to teach them the ways of the Air Nation, but there's nothing wrong with Jinora or Ikki. They're beautiful girls who I'm sure will grow up to be awesome people. Who knows? They may have airbenders. Maybe you should try teaching them our ways."

"You never taught Bumi or Kya anything."

"And I could kick myself for that. I love them, just as much as I love you, but I figured you needed me more. Bumi had Sokka. Kya had her mother, but every child needs both parents, no matter what they bend.

Look at it this way, if I only went 1/3 and your airbending blood is half as concentrated as mine, maybe it will just take longer before we have more airbenders. You may be training your grandchildren and not your children. That's okay. I'll know you'll find a way."

Aang left Tenzin to think about it. He went back to his new granddaughter. "She's beautiful," he said as he picked her up for the first time. "I can't wait until you throw water at your father."

Toph laughed. "Now that's the spirit."

Tenzin came back and mumbled some kind of apology. Lin was tired.

After they got home, Tenzin said he needed to meditate.

Maybe the spirits will talk some sense into him. Kya stayed to help with Ikki. She had a feeling her brother would be less than helpful.

Tenzin wasn't sure what to do. What if he was too old by the time there were more airbenders? What would they do then?

If the odds were against him, he might need to have more children, a lot more, but how. Lin was already pissed off with him. She wouldn't have a gaggle of children for one airbender.

Over the next two months, he focused on the Air Acolytes. He had to teach them their ways as best he could.

Lin was disappointed but not surprised. Kya stayed to support her.

"I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out."

Lin knew this must be agony for Kya, but she was too weary to turn her best friend away. It wasn't fair. Kya should find someone who loves her fully, who can really be there for her.

March 150AG

One day, Pema came up to him. "Master Tenzin."

"Yes Pema."

"I think we have a solution to your airbender problem," she said.

"We?"

"Me and the other acolytes. It's too hard for Lin to have enough children to guarantee an airbender, but if the three of us had your children, surely you would make one."

"You mean?"

"A harem."

"I couldn't …"

"But traditionally, they didn't even get married in the air nation. They just paired people to have more airbenders and raised the children collectively. We could raise all of the children together."

Tenzin slept on it. It wasn't a bad idea, but he needed to talk to Lin.

"Can we talk?"

He actually wants to talk. "Sure."

Kya took Jinora and Ikki upstairs.

"I've been thinking about airbenders."

I do not want to get pregnant again!

"I realized the odds of me having an airbender are fairly low and I can't expect you to keep cranking out kids."

Thank the spirits.

"Which is why I think we should consider a harem."

"A WHAT?"

"A group of women who …"

"I know what a harem is you jackass. How could you expect me to be okay with you cheating on me left and right with a bunch of whores?"

"The acolytes aren't whores. They're …"

"Your acolytes. You want to fuck your acolytes. Have you been fucking them already? Is this why you're never home!"

"Of course not!" He was insulted by the insinuation. "I just think if we had more mothers, then we'd have an airbender."

"Did you fall and bash your stupid head? What makes you think I would ever be okay with this?"

"You know I have a responsibility to …"

"Responsibility my ass. You have a responsibility to our two children and me and it's bad enough that you ignore us because we aren't airbenders. I'm not going to sit back and watch you make a whole bunch of new children with different mothers that you won't take care of."

"I WILL!"

"You haven't done jack shit for our daughters. You expect me to believe you will take care of the non-airbending children of the acolytes? This doesn't even make sense. If a harem is what the Air Nation needs, then your father should have one. He's twice as likely to make an airbender as you are."

"MY FATHER!"

"Yeah, his wang still works doesn't it?"

"You expect him to have a harem. What about my mother?"

Lin slapped him hard across the face. "What about me you asshole? You know how your father didn't start a harem because it would devastate his wife. You should feel that way about me. I'm sick and tired of being nothing but your baby machine. Get out!"

"What?"

"You heard me out. You want a harem. Go move in with Pema."

"You aren't serious."

"Oh yes I am. When I married you, I thought we were going to have a great life together and a family, but ever since Jinora came out as an earthbender, you've become cold and distant. I thought you would come around and see how amazing she is, but you haven't. There's a reason she doesn't call you dad, and it's because you don't deserve the title.

I won't pick you over my kids. Get out!"

Tenzin grabbed a bag and left. Kya saw him but didn't say anything. She had heard every word.

Lin wanted a drink but she was still nursing.

"I'm sorry," Kya said.

"For what? It's nor your fault he's a jackass."

"I know, but I can't imagine how hard this is for you."

"For me. I'm happier than I've been in two and a half years," Lin told her. "I did everything I could to get Tenzin to care about our family, but he was too selfish. So was I."

"How?"

"All this time, Kya. You've loved me. You've been there for me. You've taken care of me, and you should have been free to find someone who loves you fully. It's my fault you weren't."

Kya shook her head. "I tried. I dated. I even almost got engaged once, but it didn't matter. None of the girls I met were ever you."

"When you kissed me at my wedding, it was the best kiss I ever had."

"What?"

"I couldn't really tell you that, not under the circumstances, but you kissed me like I was your world. No one's ever kissed me like that."

Kya didn't know what to say.

"I loved Tenzin, or I thought I did. Now, I'm not sure if I loved him or the idea of him. Our parents are best friends. He was my first boyfriend. It all sounded good on paper. It was good, until Jinora was born, but it was then that I started to see his true colors.

I don't think I could love him anymore, even if I wanted to, and I don't. I want him gone, and I want someone who wants my kids and me. I'm a packaged set."

"What are you (saying)?" Kya started to ask before Lin kissed her, showing just as much passion as Kya had five years before.

"I don't know if I love you," Lin admitted. "But I want to try if you'll still take me."

Kya hugged her tightly. "I'll always take you Lin."

Lin saw a lawyer right away. If her grandfather taught her anything, it's always get your lawyer fast, so you can move first.

Tenzin had moved back in with his parents on Air Temple Island. At first, he told his parents it was a cooling off period and he believed it at first, but when he got the papers from Lin's lawyer, he knew.

"She wants full custody of both of the children," Katara said as she read the filing for him, as he was too dazed to read it. "She doesn't want child support?"

"She has the Bei Fong trust," Tenzin told her.

"Sure she does, but you both made them."

Lin didn't want Tenzin anywhere around her family. He made his feelings known, and she wanted her girls two have two parents who loved them, not one who was just pretending for his image.

Tenzin got his own lawyer, but there wasn't much to argue.

The Bei Fong trust already had provisions in the event that a Bei Fong divorced. Tenzin's alimony was based on the duration of the marriage and if he tried to argue for more, he would get the wrath of all the Bei Fongs, so he took it.

The house they had shared belonged to the estate, but Tenzin had enough from the alimony to get a nice house in Republic City and with Oggi, he didn't need a car.

He ultimately gave up on the custody. He didn't do it right away, lest the court think he didn't want the girls. He didn't, but judges talk and next year was an election year.

Pema and the other girls were still interested. He just needed to wait a respectable amount of time before announcing his "new relationship."

June 150AG

Aang and Katara were sad but not disappointed. After Tenzin's outburst at the hospital, it was impossible to ignore the problems in their family. Katara hoped that Lin wouldn't keep the girls from them.

"Of course she won't," Aang told her, but the couple went to pay Lin a visit anyway.

Jinora opened the door for her grandparents.

"Hi Grandma, Hi Grandpa Airhead."

Aang picked her up. "Where is your mommy?"

"She's playing spades with Aunt Kya."

Katara went to go talk to them.

She knocked on the bedroom door, but didn't receive an answer.

She turned the knob and it was locked. "Why would they lock the door to play spades?" She made an ice key and opened.

She was surprised to see Kya naked and on top of Lin.

"MOM!"

"Um how about we take Jinora and Ikki to lunch?"

Katara shut the door and ran down the stairs. "We're taking the girls to lunch, and I don't think Lin has any intention of keeping the girls away from the family."

"You look like you saw a ghost?"

"I saw something. Let's go!"

She grabbed Ikki and the baby bag.

Aang took Jinora, and they left.

Lin laughed. "I thought I was done with Aunt Tara walking in on me." This brings you back.

Kya groaned. "Why?"

"We were going to have to tell them someday."

"But I was hoping it would be after the ink was dry on your divorce papers."

Lin shrugged. "I'm happy. Not even Tenzin showing up right now could change that."

"I'm happy too," Kya said. "Now where were we?"