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Hakoda's fascination with the monorail and trains began after their first trip to Ba Sing Se as a family. They never had a reason to take the train with Oogi around but that didn't stop his interest in them. He wasn't very picky for a two, almost three-year old but he did have one wish for this birthday. He wanted a new toy train and that gave Lin another idea. They were going to take him on his first train ride to Ba Sing Se.
"Are you sure you can manage the journey?" Tenzin watches his wife double-check their backpack and rations.
"Stop worrying T," Lin rests her hand on his shoulder.
"We don't have to if you can't honey," Tenzin sighs, "we can do it another time and just take him on a ride to the nearest town."
"We took the week off from work, our family is meeting us at the Jasmine Dragon in a few days and Hakoda is so excited," Lin reminds him.
"What about the baby?" Tenzin cups her cheek.
"The baby hates flying. I'm pretty sure the train is the best way to get there anyways," Lin leans into his touch.
"Sounds like taking the train will make everyone happy," Tenzin smiles, "when do we tell Koda?"
"After his birthday," Lin suggests.
"Okay," Tenzin kisses her forehead.
"Come on you two the train leaves in an hour," Katara calls from down the hall.
"Coming," Lin replies, pulling Tenzin out the door.
They walk to the courtyard where Aang is waiting with Oogi to take them two streets away from the train station in the city. They would take the train from Republic City to Rong and spend a night there before continuing on to Ba Sing Se. It is fairly straightforward and the delays should be minimal.
"Daddy go," Hakoda pulls on his father's arm as they enter the train station.
"Slow down bud," Tenzin lifts his son on his shoulders.
"Why a hat?" Hakoda tugs at the item covering his father's tattoos.
"Yes Koda, he's wearing a hat," Lin agrees ,"Don't pull it off."
"Daddy look funny," Hakoda laughs.
"He does," Lin agrees , "where do we board?"
"Platform 4," Tenzin checks their tickets.
"That way," Lin points.
"Train train," Hakoda cheers as they approach the platform.
"Here Koda," Lin hands him a ticket.
"Show that man your ticket," Tenzin places him to stand on the floor and Hakoda allows the conductor to check it.
"All set," the conductor nods to the family.
They find their seats and soon are on their way out the city. The usually hyperactive boy is content sitting on his mother's lap pointing out the new sights as they pass by. This was probably the first time they truly felt like a normal family. No reporters hovering to find out what Hakoda would bend. No prying acolytes or officers. No worrying about the city's problems.
...
"He's out," Lin strokes her son's hair.
"This is nice," Tenzin places his arm around her shoulder. He could get used to trips like this.
"Definitely worth the extra dock duties," Lin leans into his side.
"Chief Kaz couldn't let you off without a trade?" Tenzin frowns. He thought the department was working her too hard before they even found out about the baby . The recent promotion to Captain did keep her out of harm's way a little more frequently but it also meant more paperwork with longer hours.
"You know he would but the other senior officers might say he's playing favourites," Lin sighs , "when they want time to hang out with their kids it's fine but the minute I want time off for family stuff everyone makes a fuss. "
"And what does Kazu think about you taking the time?" Tenzin wonders.
"He doesn't care about me taking time for family, he has encouraged it. It's not extra duties overall, just less patrols through the city and more afternoons by the docks when important shipments come in. Everyone hates dock duties because they are out of the way and kind of boring but I like them because they are close to the ferry home so it works out I guess,"
"He's hoping this one is an earthbender so he can play earthbending ball with her," Lin whispers .
"You told him? I thought we weren't letting anyone outside of my parents know before we told Hakoda," Tenzin groans.
"I forgot to mention it to you. I didn't tell him T, he felt it ," Lin explains , "besides, Kaz is family. And him knowing means one more person giving an extra look when you're not around. You'd be happy to know that he chewed me out last week when he thought I was overworking myself."
"You what?" Tenzin whispers frustrated. This was something they went back and forth with when she was having Hakoda. When they decided to try for another child Lin agreed to take it easy and he promised not to coddle her. Her idea of taking it easy meant eleven hour work days and less weekend duties. Tenzin thought it was still too much but decided to help her in other ways than trying to get her to work less. He set up an office where there used to be a guest room so she could spend more days working from the island where possible. It also made it easier to check in on her without seeming too obvious.
"I am taking things easier now," Lin promises, "I'm allowed to supervise operations from behind for two more months and desk duty until my leave starts."
"And if Kazu did not reprimand you , you would do it again," Tenzin grumbles.
"My guys can handle themselves and they have been pretty helpful recently," Lin tries to convince him, "we are both healthy and safe."
"I would like for you two to stay like that," Tenzin sighs.
"We will," Lin angles her head so she can kiss his jaw.
"The three of you are my entire world," Tenzin whispers.
"I will be taking it easy," Lin promises.
"We're here," Tenzin notes as the train arrives in Rong.
"Hakoda is fast asleep," Lin points out.
"I got him," Tenzin lifts their son out of her lap and into his arms.
"I'll take the bag," Lin offers but Tenzin shakes his head.
"I'm fine. Let's find a place for us to stay," Tenzin looks around the town.
"Only seems to be one place," Lin concludes before leading him to the inn.
"Good evening, we would like a room for the night," Tenzin greets the receptionist.
"Ten silver pieces please," The receptionist replies and Lin pays her ,"room 202, it's on the left. You got lucky, that's our last room"
"Thank you," Lin nods before following Tenzin down the hall to their room for the night.
The set up of the room is fairly simple. An armchair, a bedside table and one bed are the only things there. It had been a while since they shared with Hakoda and while that wasn't a problem in and of itself the size of the bed made it tricky.
"Do you want us to get another room? I can sleep there while you stay with Hakoda," Tenzin suggests as he rests a still sleeping Hakoda on the bed.
"This was the last room and we'll make this work," Lin insists.
"Won't you be uncomfortable?" Tenzin frowns, "I can sleep on the floor."
"You worry too much," Lin walks around the bed to where he is standing to wrap her arms around him, "we will be fine."
"We should probably turn in," Tenzin leans in to kiss her forehead.
They get ready for the bed and manage to coax Hakoda back to sleep after changing him. It takes them some angling but eventually everyone is comfortable enough to go to sleep. Tenzin had his reservations about the trip but watching his wife and son sleeping beside him makes him know this trip was the right call. For tonight they were just another family dealing with normal vacation problems . The bed was smaller than he would prefer but it was big enough for the three of them.
...
"Ready to go to Ba Sing Se?" Lin asks Hakoda as they enter the train station the next afternoon.
"Ba Sing Se," Hakoda nods.
"Good day, we would like three first class tickets to Ba Sing Se," Tenzin slides the money across the counter.
"Where are your passports?" The attendant glares.
"Here," Lin places the three passports on the counter.
"But this is the Beifong seal," the attendant examines the passports before looking back at the family who seem to be average Earth Kingdom citizens.
"And we weren't here," Lin shares a look with the attendant who simply nods in return.
"Have a great trip to Ba Sing Se," the attendant returns their passports along with the tickets.
"Thank you," Tenzin nods.
The trip to Ba Sing Se is long and boring for Lin and Tenzin but their son is still excited by everything in sight. Lin is content with her book while Tenzin regales their son with stories of his grandparents' adventures. When they finally arrive in the upper ring it is early the next morning. They make their way to the Jasmine Dragon hoping to get some shut-eye before their family begins their antics.
"Surprise!" Their family shouts as they enter the Jasmine Dragon.
"I thought they were coming later," Lin mumbles.
"Guess not," Tenzin shrugs.
"Happy Birthday Hakoda!" Bumi lifts his nephew into the air.
"Come on Bumi stop hogging my grandson," Toph enters the room much to Lin's surprise.
"Did you know she was coming?" Lin whispers.
"Of course not. I would have told you," Tenzin insists.
"I don't want to deal with this, not this weekend," Lin sighs.
"She will probably be too caught up with everyone else," Tenzin figures.
"I hope so," Lin watches her mother and son.
"Linny, can I check on you while the others chat?" Katara whispers.
"Of course," Lin follows her mother in law to one of the back rooms.
"How was the trip?" Katara asks while doing her check up.
"Not bad. Koda had a great time on the train," Lin smiles.
"And the baby?" Katara gestures to Lin's stomach.
"She seems to prefer land travel," Lin figures.
"So when were you going to tell me?" Toph enters the room.
"Great," Lin frowns.
"I'll give you two a minute," Katara excuses herself.
"Chief," Lin sits up in the bed.
"Captain," Toph tilts her head.
"How nice of you to grace us with your presence," Lin replies sarcastically.
"I wanted to check in with my grandchild," Toph shrugs, "or should I say grandchildren? You know Su has one kid already. Are you competing?"
"I don't care about what Suyin is doing," Lin scoffs.
"Could've fooled me," Toph chuckles.
"Not everything is about her or you for that matter. Why must you do this every time?" Lin huffs.
"I can feel your angry heartbeat and for the baby's sake I will drop it," Toph shrugs
"How kind," Lin drawls, "why are you here?"
"My grandson's birthday," Toph responds matter of factly.
"Since when do you care about birthdays?" Lin wonders.
"I'm trying to do better Lin. I know my delivery sucks but I'm trying," Toph mumbles.
"Hakoda adores you. I don't want you to get his hopes up for nothing," Lin sighs
"I won't," Toph insists.
"If you say so," Lin brushes off what feels like another empty promise.
"She's strong you know," Toph adds quietly.
"Huh?" Lin looks up confused.
"The baby is strong. Reminds me of when I was having you," Toph smiles, "I think she will be your airbender."
"Why must you mock me?" Lin groans.
"I'm being serious," Toph insists , "she is going to be an airbender."
"We all know it's highly unlikely. Katara thinks I'm having an earthbender, " Lin informs her mother.
"Well she is wrong. Since you're so sure, If I'm right you let me teach your first earthbender how to bend," Toph challenges.
"What makes you so sure we are having more kids?" Lin frowns at her mother.
"Just a hunch. So do we have a deal?" Toph asks.
"Yea, yea. If this kid is an airbender you can teach my first earthbender," Lin decides to humour her mother.
"Mother asked me to bring you a cup of tea. Is everything okay?" Tenzin knocks on the door frame.
"We were just talking about how you knocked up my kid again. In case I forget to tell you before you leave, I'll be in the city in a few months to meet the little one," Toph makes her way to the exit , "take care Captain."
"How are you feeling?" Tenzin sits on the side of the bed.
"I'm fine I guess," Lin shrugs .
"Do you want to talk about it?" Tenzin reaches for her hand.
"I just want to rest but what about Hakoda?" Lin stifles a yawn.
"Koda is occupied. I think we can take a quick nap," Tenzin stretches out beside her.
"That sounds good," Lin rests her head on his chest.
"Relax my love," Tenzin strokes her hair.
"Mommy? Daddy?" A small voice calls from the door.
"Koda? I thought you wanted to play with Uncle Bumi and Aunt Kya," Tenzin looks up.
"Nap time?" Hakoda approaches the bed slowly.
"Yes Ko, mommy and daddy are taking a nap," Tenzin nods.
"Can I?" Hakoda waits for a response.
"There'll always be space for you Koda," Lin moves over.