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As the first rays of morning sun entered the delivery room, Korra clutched her newborn in gentle arms. Senna and Asami were there, too, with chairs pulled up on both sides of the bed. They had been at her side since her contractions started in the early hours of the morning, holding her hand and soothing her worries.
The afterbirth was a blur; One of the midwives- Korra couldn’t remember who, too captivated by the screaming red blob she had just birthed- had washed away the amniotic fluid and goop from the tiny creature. They wrapped the infant in a soft, cream-colored blanket, before handing her off to the exhausted new mother. Korra watched with bewildered affection as Akari squirmed and gurgled, opening and closing her tiny fists. Akari had beautiful brown skin and fluffy wisps of black hair on her head. Her blue-grey eyes reminded Korra of the seas back home, where the water meets the horizon line. She was the most beautiful thing Korra had even seen.
Acolytes shuffled about, clearing away the soiled towels and sheets and cooling water. An older woman guided Korra in getting the baby to latch on to her breast. She nodded warmly once the baby was settled before dismissing herself.
“I’ll go tell everyone the good news,” Senna said. She kissed Korra on the temple and brushed her fingers lovingly over Akari’s little hands. “I’m so proud of you, my Korra.”
Soon it was just Korra, Asami, and tiny Akari left.
“Do you want me to leave, too?” Asami asked gently. Korra shook her head. She shuffled over on her bed, wincing even at that slight movement.
“Careful,” Asami chided.
“I know, I know.” Korra said. “Sit with me?”
Asami smiled. “Of course.”
Careful not to jostle either of them, Asami sat down on the mattress and wrapped her arms around Korra’s shoulder. Her other hand went- ever so slowly- to touch the baby
“She’s beautiful,” Asami whispered.
Korra rested her head on Asami’s shoulder. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to love her,” she admitted. “I didn’t know what she would look like, or how I’d react to seeing her in person and holding her in my arms. I was afraid that I’d only see Amon in her eyes.”
“How do you feel now?”
“I love her so much,” Korra said, tears filling her eyes. “I’ve never loved anyone or anything more in my life.”
“But, that makes me even more afraid,” Korra continued. Korra’s tears fell faster and she scrubbed them away quickly. “What if I’m not good enough for her? What if I can’t let go of what happened to me? What if I have to choose between my duty as Avatar and my duty to my- to my daughter?”
Asami shushed her and held her closer. “Do you know what I think?”
“What?” Korra croaked, sniffling.
“Akari is going to be loved no matter what. I knew it from the very beginning, watching you talk to her and prepare for her arrival,” Asami said, thumbing away a tear on Korra’s cheek. She gently tilted Korra’s chin so that their eyes met. Asami had tears of her own running down her face, but they weren’t sad ones. They were tears of joy. “And I know you two have so many people around you willing to step in to help. Your parents. Tenzin. Uncle Mako and Uncle Bolin.”
Korra laughed wetly.
Asami pointed at herself. “I know Aunt Asami is going to spoil her rotten. Isn’t that right, my little light?”
“What is it? What’s wrong, Korra?” Asami asked.
“Well,” Korra answered slowly. “I was hoping- and you can say no, this is a very big thing- that maybe Akari could call you mom, too.”
Asami’s eyes widened. “I would love that but- are you sure?”
Korra leaned in and kissed Asami on the cheek. “I am.”
Snuggled up tight, Asami and Korra held each other tight. They were content to live in the moment, watching the gentle rise and fall of Akari’s chest as she slept. They felt nothing but love for each other- and for their daughter.