Asami glanced up distractedly as the grand father clock chimed midnight out in the corridor.
She rubbed at her tired eyes as she looked back at her paperwork.
The next time she ripped her eyes away from yet another contract was when there was a gentle knock on the study door.
Asami:- Hey little one, what are you doing up? It's late.
Yasuko:- (rubbing her fist over her tired eyes) I had a bad dream.
Asami:- (Looking up and giving her daughter her full attention) Ow sweetie, Mummy's sorry, was it a really bad dream?
Yasuko:- (nodding sleepily and taking a tentative step into the room) Yeah, it was about the scary story Korra told.
Asami frowned, that wasn't like her girlfriend.
Asami:- Why did Korra tell you a scary story Yassy?
Yasuko:- (blushing and stepping from foot to foot) She didn't tell me the story Mummy, she was telling Tara.
Asami:- (Nodding her understanding) You were listening to Korra telling Katara a scary story? (Yasuko nodded) Sweetheart, you're too little for stories like that. Katara's a big girl, that's why Korra was telling it too her. Baby, you have to promise me you won't listen in when Korra and Tara are having their special Sissy time.
Yasuko:- But Mummy, it's no fair, Korra and Tara have loads of fun, and I don't get to join, you said people need to share.
Asami:- (fighting to keep a straight face at her daughter's mini tantrum) I did say that Yassy, yes. But Korra and Katara need their special time together because they have no Mummy or daddy anymore, remember? You're very lucky and have both your Mummy and Daddy.
Yasuko pouted but nodded.
Asami:- Good girl, now come on, it's late, and you have school tomorrow.
Yasuko:- (asking hopefully) can I sleep with you and Korra?
Asami:- (chuckled and shook her head) Nice try, but you know Korra needs alot of room, so no-one hurts her in the night.
Yasuko:- (looking concerned) Does Korra's owie back and legs hurt again?
Asami:- (nodding) Yes Yasuko, Korra has loads of owies right now, that's why we give her gentle hugs before we go to school now.
Yasuko nodded and raised her arms up.
Chuckling, Asami stood from her desk and crossed the room to her daughter, the CEO lifted her up and rested her on her hip before she turned off the lights, locking her study door behind her.
She cradled her daughter firmly in her arms as she made her way upstairs to her daughter's bedroom.
As they passed, Asami noticed Katara's bedroom door open, she gently nudged it open with her foot, to find her girlfriend's sister crying in the dark.
Asami:- Katara? It's Asami sweetheart, I have Yasuko with me, can we come in?
Katara:- (snifferling hard) Hey Asami, yeah, you can come in.
There was rustling of the duvet so Asami could perch on the edge of the bed.
Yasuko:- Did you have a bad dream too Tara?
Katara:- (snifferling loud) Nawww, did you have a bad dream kiddo.
Yasuko:- yeah, I got mummy, she's tucking me in, she could tuck you in too, right mummy?
Asami:- (not really sure how to respond) Ow, Yassy, no sweetheart, Katara wouldn't want that.....
Katara:- actually Asami, if you wouldn't mind, my mum would tuck me in after a bad dream too. I'd normally just wake up Korra, but after her injury at work.....
Asami:- she's not as mobile as she used to be?
Katara:- (hearing the smile in her voice) something like that, yeah.
Asami:- Of course I'll tuck you in, if that's what you would like. Just let me get Yasuko settled, then I'll be right back okay? I promise.
Ten minutes later and Asami was knocking on Katara's bedroom door again, the only difference this time, was the bedside lamp was switched on.
Katara looked up from the picture book she was reading.
Asami:- You ready for bed sweetheart?
Katara:- (nervous) I just want to finish the story, if that's okay?
Asami:- (smiling kindly) of course it is Tara, take your time.
Katara:- (very nervous this time) would you read it to me? My, my mum would read to me when I had bad dreams.
Asami knew this, of course. Korra would tell her stories about their parents, in the safety of their dark bedroom.
Asami:- (nodding) sure thing sweetheart, is it okay if I sat down?
Katara:- (making room for her on the bed) mum used to lie down with me.
Nodding, Asami lay down, and read the story.
The story was read, lullabies were sung. Asami gently sat up and stood, she was about to tuck the young teen in, when she paused.
Katara was snuggled down with her stuffed rabbit and sucking her thumb sleepily.
Glad her girlfriend's sister felt so comfortable in her presence. Asami tucked her in, and lightly kissed her forehead, before leaving.
Back in her own bedroom, Asami slipped under the covers.
Korra:- (voice thick with sleep) it's 2 in the morning, please tell me you haven't been working all this time?
Asami:- (getting comfortable) For once, the answers no. Yasuko and Katara had nightmares. I've been putting them back to bed.
Korra:- (sounding more awake) Are the kids okay?
Asami:- They're fine Baby, just relax.
Korra:- Did Katara freak that I wasn't there.?
Asami:- Korra, baby. Relax, Katara's fine, she trusts me, remember?
Korra kissed her girlfriend.
Korra:- I would like to meet the person who could meet you, and not fall in love with you.
It was silent for a while, and just before Asami fell asleep.
Korra:- (whispering) Thank-you Asami. For keeping my family together, I don't know what I would of done, if I had to put Katara into care.
Asami:- Hey, if you can deal with my hyper six year old, I can deal with a slightly teary 14 year old.
Korra:- Anything for you babe, I love you.
Asami:- I love you too baby, both of you.
And with those hushed words floating in the air, they fell asleep, dreaming of their shared future with their unique little family.
