Chapter Text
After sitting at home for the better part of a month, Lin decided to take her family out to the city park. Walking around the house, she nearly tripped over a stray shoe. Looking down she could tell that it belonged to one of her daughters. Bending down to retrieve the offending article, she noticed a trail. She followed it, picking up clothes and toys as she went until she came face to face with her twins sitting in the kitchen floor.
“What are you girls up to?” Lin asked the toddlers.
“We cook like mommy.” June, the older of the two said with a wide grin.
“Oh really? What are you making?” Lin said as she sat on the floor in front of them.
“Rice cake,” Jade answered as she shoved the bowl in her Sire’s face. “Taste!”
Lin looked at the mess of rice flour and water, then to the girls as she took a small bite. “This is a good rice cake.” She smiled at the toddlers, “You know we can get more rice cakes at the park.”
“PARK!” The twins shouted in unison.
They hadn’t been to the park in a couple of weeks, mostly due to the fact that Kya had recently given birth to another child and wasn’t ready to be out and about yet. They had talked about it and she thought it would be a good idea to get the kids out of the house.
“Luckily you two aren’t covered in rice cake or you would need a bath before you go get dirty again.” Lin stood and grabbed a wet towel to wipe the mess off of their faces and hands. “Go put your toys away and get some shoes on. I’ll clean up in here.”
When she was done cleaning the mess in the kitchen, she walked to her bedroom where she found her family. Shang was putting his own shoes on while Kya was getting the baby bag ready. The young boy jumped up and ran to her when he finished.
“Look sire! I put my shoes on right!” the four-year-old said.
“Good job buddy!” She looked around the room at her wife and kids, “Everyone ready to go? Shang?”
“Yep!”
“Good job! Jade?”
“Yes!”
“Awesome! June?”
“Uh huh”
“Amazing. Mommy and Zian?”
“ Oh, we’re ready.”
“Alright then what are we waiting for?”
“Is Sire ready?” Shang asked.
“Oh no!” Lin said with mock horror. “I seem to have forgotten my shoes.”
“ Noooo !” the three toddlers moaned in unison.
“Don’t worry I have some spare ones in the closet,” Lin walked over and grabbed her sneakers from the closet before putting them on. “Okay let’s go.” Lin smiled as three of her children raced out of the bedroom. She grabbed the baby bag from Kya who had Zian strapped to her chest. Seeing the children waiting by the door, she smiled, happy to have a fun day with her family.
She was glad they had decided to buy an apartment close to the park. This way they didn’t have to pile into her car when they wanted to go to the park. She gave the small backpack to her Shang and he happily strapped it to his back. Lin grabbed a bigger ball with toys and extra clothes and put it on her own back. Stepping out of the apartment, Kya watched her children as Lin locked the door.
She turned to everyone, “Shang you take Mommy’s hand. Girls, you’re with me.” Lin grabbed a tiny hand in each of her own and they all walked to the garage that came with the apartment. Lin pulled the wagon out and set it up so her children could get inside. This would make travel that much easier without having to worry about one of the kids going astray. She loaded the Satowagon their parents had gifted them with their toys, a blanket and an umbrella. After loading the kids into the wagon, they crossed the bridge into the park and were ready for a fun relaxing day.
Kya found a great spot by the river, far enough away that the kids wouldn’t go in accidentally, but close enough to catch the scent of water. Lin set up the umbrella and blanket and gave the children their toys before sitting to watch them play.
About two hours later, Lin watched as her pups began playing with other children in the park. The game soon ended when Shang got upset. She went over to them as she noticed an older man, obviously Water Tribe, coming towards them as well. “What’s the matter buddy?”
“He took my toy.”
“Well did you ask for it back?” She asked just as the man approached. Shang nodded as he she wiped his tears.
“Arik why did you take his toy?” The man asked.
“I wanted to play with it.” the other boy said.
“But you have your own toys.”
“This one is cooler.” Arik pouted.
“Well if it isn’t yours you should give it back.”
Arik huffed and threw the toy down before running back to his parents. The man turned to Lin, “I’m sorry about my grandson. He can be a handful sometimes.”
“ Oh, it’s fine, Shang got his toy back and he’s as happy as ever.” Lin didn’t know why, but this man seemed familiar.
“I’m Kanto by the way.” He said holding out his hand. “I’m out here with my daughter and her family.”
Kanto. That’s why he seemed familiar. Lin shook the man’s hand with a tight smile. “Lin.”
“Nice to meet you Lin.” He looked over his shoulder, “I should be getting back but it was nice meeting you.”
“You too.” Lin said before he walked away. She looked at his family before returning to hers. The woman Arik had run to looked to be no older than twenty.
Kya noticed the odd expression on Lin’s face as her eyes never left the man she had been talking to. “Lin, what’s the matter, do you know him?”
“Yeah I do.” Lin said before she turned her attention to her wife, “He’s my father.”