Avatar: The Story Continues 38

20 months ASC

Aang and Katara,

I wanted to be the first to tell you the news before you heard it from anyone else.  Mai is pregnant!  She is about 3 months along and is doing very well.  See you at the wedding.

Zuko

"Well, that's convenient," said Katara.

"If we were all in the same place, I would have sworn it was contagious," remarked Aang.  

OlOlOlOlOlOlO

Katara's first month of pregnancy flew by with no issues or complications.  She barely even knew she was pregnant.  Of course, it was too early to outwardly notice any changes.  There would be no belly or bulge until about the 4th month or so.  Having spent some time around pregnant women though, Katara knew her current situation would probably be too good to last.  She knew that only a few select lucky women went through their entire pregnancy with no negative symptoms.  

She and Aang still decided that they should not inform anyone else of the pregnancy.  For now, they shared that little secret only between the two of them.  They were an interesting sight because, one would never know by looking at the two of them that anything had changed at all.  Aang continued his airbender training and both Aang and Katara vigorously practiced their own bending every afternoon in the private practice area that was built for them.  In the evenings though, when the two were alone, they would often "check" the progress of the baby with their waterbending and talk about the future as a family of three.  

OlOlOlOlOlOlO

21 months ASC

Aang was conducting airbender training one morning with his six students when a messenger hawk swooped in from the sky and landed on the railing of a nearby balcony.  I wonder who's writing, Aang thought to himself.  "Keep going," he instructed his students as he broke his gaze from their forms to go see what the messenger hawk carried.  

He removed the scroll, unfurled it, and began reading.

Aang,

Suki and I have arrived back at the south pole.  I have some disturbing news I need to share with you, but let me ask you upfront to not tell Katara.  Dad was hunting a few days ago and was attacked by a polar leopard.  Apparently they had their eyes on the same otter-penguins for dinner that night and, unfortunately, the polar leopard won.  

Dad's fine.  There's no reason to rush home right now.  The healers are working on him already.  There's no need to worry Katara about this right now.  After all, you'll be here in a few weeks anyway.  

Sokka

Hmmm….to tell or not to tell? he thought to himself.  I don't like keeping things from her, but Sokka is right, she will be worried and she'll want to leave right away if I do tell her  Considering her current state, maybe I'll just not tell her just this once.  I must be crazy listening to Sokka.

"Master Aang?  Is everything ok?" asked Tengfei, who shouted over from the where the students were practicing.  

Aang snapped out of his thoughts.  "Yes, Tengfei.  It's nothing."  He rolled the scroll back up and stuffed it in his shirt.

The airbenders broke training so they could go get some lunch in the dining area.  Katara met Aang right outside so they could go in together.  

"How were your students today?" she asked him.  

"They are progressing well," replied Aang.  "I'm almost sorry I have to leave again, even if it is for only a short time."

They walked back to the kitchen area where the food was being prepared.  They kept talking along the way.

"I know how attached you are to all this," said Katara.  "I also know you could never miss the wedding of two of your best friends.  I promise we won't be there more than a few days."

Aang then thought about the note.  I hope he's ok.  She's going to kill me if she ever finds out about the scroll Sokka sent.  

Just then Katara put down her plate and ran to the garbage and heaved.  Aang put down his plate and followed.  He rubbed her back as she stood over the bin.  

"Are you ok?" he asked.  

"I knew this might come eventually," she answered.  

"Morning sickness, huh," he said.  

"Yeah.  Unlike the name though, it can hit you anytime.  At least that's what other mothers have told me," said Katara.  "Those eggs are just not smelling right to me right now."

"Eat a lot of rice.  That should calm it down I would think," said Aang.  "Ok?" he bent down so he actually felt like he was somewhat talking to her face.

She stood up and wiped the edge of her lips with a napkin. "I'm ok."

The husband and wife took their food and sat down in the main eating area near Haruko and Deshi.  

"Are you ok, dear?" asked Haruko. "We…uh….heard that you weren't feeling well."

"I'm fine.  I'm going to stick to just some plain rice for lunch.  Maybe I caught a bug or something," Katara replied.

After a half hour and three entire bowls of rice, Aang and Katara were ready to leave.  They said good-bye to their friends and took off to do the afternoon's planned activities.

Deshi whispered a remark to Haruko, "Well, she can't be too sick.  She just ate three whole bowls of rice in one sitting!"

OlOlOlOlOlO

Later that evening, Aang and Katara were in their room getting ready for bed.

"…And so it begins," said Katara.

"What?" said Aang.

"Well, the morning sickness, but I've also been hungry all day and now I'm absolutely exhausted," she replied.

"Are you going to be like this the entire pregnancy?" Aang asked.

"I don't think so.  I hope not anyway.  I hear it goes away over time," said Katara.

"Do you mind if I look at the baby?" asked Aang.

"Not at all," she replied.

He bended the water from her pouch and put his hands on her still-flat abdomen.  Aang concentrated for a few seconds.  Then a single tear was shed from each eye.  

"What is it?" Katara asked.  "Is everything ok?"

"I can feel a heartbeat," he replied.  

OlOlOlOlOlO

A messenger hawk came to the Eastern Air Temple once again.  This time, however, it was during a meal.  Katara and Aang were sitting together in the dining area.  

"I'll get it," Aang said.  He stood up and went over to where the hawk perched on an outside railing.  He picked up the message and rejoined his wife at their table.  As he read, he scowled.

"Who is it from?" she asked.

"Sokka," he replied with a bit of hesitation.  

"Sokka - ," she started.  "What does he want?"

"It's not good," Aang said.  "Katara - I have a confession to make.  A week or two ago, I received a message from him asking me not to tell you something."

He could see the anticipation in her eyes growing wanting to know if this was something she should be upset about.  "And…?"

"Uhhh….your father had an accident," Aang said.

"What kind of accident?  And you didn't tell me?" she said in a slightly elevated voice.  

"I know.  I didn't know what to do.  I was 50/50 on whether I should tell you or not, but Sokka point-blank told me not to tell you, so I didn't," Aang said.

"Wrong choice – but we'll talk about that later when we're alone.  And?  What does the scroll say?" urged Katara.

"Well, your father got into a hunting accident a few weeks ago.  He ran into a polar leopard and got a little….hurt," Aang explained.  "But Sokka said he was under the care of healers and it would only worry you to know about it, especially when you were all the way over here at the Eastern Air Temple."

"Is that all?" asked Katara.

"Well, no," said Aang.  "This latest scroll says that he developed a pretty bad infection right after that and he's not doing well."

"Dad!" Katara yelled and stood up from the table.  "Aang, we've got to get there as soon as possible."

"Yeah, I kind of figured that was coming," Aang muttered to himself.  "Let me tie up a few things here and we'll get going.  We'll also have to pack for the wedding, too.  Can you hold on until tomorrow morning?"

"I think so," answered Katara.  "It won't be easy…but I think so."

OlOlOlOlOlO

The next morning, Aang and Katara left for the Southern Water Tribe.  They decided to push Appa on this particular trip – they left at sun-up, but Appa would continue to fly until they arrived.  Before they left, Aang touched base with all the residents at the Eastern Air Temple to let them know what was going on and when he thought he'd be back.  He gave specific instructions to his students on what to practice and even left Youfeng and Meifeng take up some leadership and run some practice sessions themselves.

It was the middle of the night before Appa landed in the Southern Water Tribe.  He was exhausted, but Aang and Katara were none the worse for wear since they napped on his back while he was flying.  

"You go ahead," said Aang, knowing full well that Katara wanted to go see her father as soon as possible.  "I'll unload our stuff into the house."

Katara walked to her father's house under the summer moon.  I'm glad its not winter, she thought to herself.  There was nothing stirring in the village.  She did note, however, there was a small light emanating from her Dad's house as she got closer. I wonder if he's up.

She gently opened up the door that led to the kitchen.  As she peeked inside, she saw a lone figure sitting with his back to the door, reading by candlelight.  

"Sokka?" Katara whispered.

He turned  to see his sister coming through the door.  "Oh Katara, I'm glad you're here," he said to her in a low voice.  

"I thought you'd be home," she said.

"Well, right now Dad needs someone to look after him all the time.  I'm on in just a few minutes.  Dad, Gran-Gran, Suki, Kirima, and I have been taking turns – especially at night," Sokka said.

"Wait….who is Kirima?" asked Katara.

"She's Dad's girlfriend," answered Sokka.  "He met her right after your wedding a few months ago."

"Dad has a…girlfriend?" asked Katara.

"You didn't expect him to stay alone forever, did you?  I mean, when Gran-Gran lost our Gramps, she found Pakku, right?" said Sokka.

"Yeah, I guess so," said Katara.  "I guess I just wasn't expecting it.  Who is she?"

"She came from the Northern Water Tribe with Pakku," said Sokka.

"Oh!  Now I remember she's the one who gets seasick!" remarked Katara.

"That's the one.  We were on that ship for a few weeks.  You couldn't help but know which one she was, being sick the entire time like she was," said Sokka.

Katara giggled a little.  "She was nice though…when we actually saw her without her head over the side of the boat," she said.  

"Come on," Sokka grabbed Katara's sleeve and pulled him along with her to their Dad's bedroom.  They gently opened the door so as not to disturb him if he was sleeping.  Sokka held his finger up to his lips.  

Inside was Hakoda, asleep under the furs on his bed and sweating profusely.  By his side was a lovely middle-aged water tribe woman who Katara recognized immediately as the woman from Pakku's ship.  She had Hakoda's hand in hers and was leaning with her head on his bed until she sensed other people had entered the room.  

"Hi Sokka," said Kirima quietly.  "Are you ready to take over?"

"Yeah, I'm ready," he answered.  "Go get some sleep."

"How is he?" asked Katara.

"Pretty much the same," Kirima answered.  "Are you Katara by any chance?"

"Yes I am.  It's nice to see you again," said Katara.

"Likewise," Kirima answered.

"Do you guys mind if I check him?" Katara asked the two others at Hakoda's bedside.  "It probably won't wake him up."

"I'd prefer if you did," answered Sokka.

Katara took the water out of her bending pouch and placed it on Hakoda's stomach.  She closed her eyes and concentrated.  

"Wow," was what she mustered when she opened her eyes again.  

"Well….what did you see?" Sokka asked.

"The healers have done a decent job.  But they aren't winning against the infection.  I can see that he was bitten or scratched in the upper right arm or shoulder area and also on his right thigh.  They look like they were healing, but then the infection took hold.  Now there is a lot of festering in both of those areas," said Katara.

"Is he going to be ok?" asked Kirima.

"I don't know," said Katara.  "He may be fine, but I'm pretty sure those two limbs will never be quite the same.  A lot of his muscle has died already."

Katara then took out something else.  In one of her pockets was a small vial.  She opened it and waterbended the contents directly onto Hakoda's shoulder.  It glowed for a second and then stopped.

"What was that?" asked Sokka.

"Spirit water from the North," she answered.  "I took an extra vial when Aang and I were up there with Fei Yen 'just in case'.  I thought now would be a good time to use it."  

They all looked at Hakoda sleeping for a few minutes after that.  Other than the sounds that came from him every so often, no one else made a noise until Katara finally broke the silence.

"I think I'll get back to Aang," she said.

"Yeah, I'm going to turn in, too," said Kirima.

"I'll be here – no worries, I've got everything under control," said Sokka.  

OlOlOlOlOlO

The next day, Aang and Katara arrived at Hakoda's house mid-morning to check on him.  By that time, Suki had taken over for Sokka, who was now home getting some much needed sleep of his own.  

"Hi Suki," said Aang as they walked into Hakoda's bedroom.

"How is he?" asked Katara.

"About the same actually," Suki replied.

Katara bended her pouch water back onto her father's stomach to check him.  "His shoulder is definitely better.  I would say about half the infection is gone.  But the leg – not so much."

She moved her hands to his shoulder and closed her eyes for a minute or two.  After that, she moved her hands down to his thigh.  

"I wish I had more spirit water," she said.  Aang gave her a hug.  

"Has he been like this for very long?" asked Aang.  "I mean, I expected him to be awake by now."

"It's been about a week now.  When he is awake, he is in a lot of pain.  It's actually better that he's out," replied Suki.  

"I can't believe all this is happening," said Katara who sat down on a chair and put her head in both hands.  Aang could hear her soft whimpers of trying not to cry.  He went over and rubbed the upper part of her back to try to comfort her.  

"Katara, don't give up," said Suki.  "He's strong.  He'll get through it."

Katara looked up.  "But what will he be like when it's over?" she asked.  "It's eating him alive."

"Katara, we've got to stay positive – for him," said Aang.  "Promise me you won't give up."

She sniffed and gathered herself.  "I promise."

OlOlOlOlOlOlO

Aang and Katara got added to the rotating caregiver list and started keeping watch with the others hoping Hakoda would come out of this alive.  Katara and Aang also spent some of their time with Hakoda giving him healing sessions as well.  

Three days after Aang and Katara arrived, Hakoda appeared to the waterbenders that he was getting better.  His high fever was going down and his profuse sweating had stopped completely.  Yet he was still not yet awake.

Aang was watching him after lunch when Katara came into the room to take over.  

"I don't understand it, Katara," Aang said.  "I checked him and even did some healing on his wounds.  I really would think he should be awake by now."

"I'm sure he'll wake up soon," she replied.

Katara turned her back on her husband and father to enter a closet and get down a fresh towel so she could wipe him down.  

"What did you say Aang?" she asked.

"It wasn't me," Aang said, looking over at Hakoda to make sure the source of the sound was coming from where he thought it was coming from.

"Dad?" Katara said as she took a few steps closer.  His eyes were now half-open and he made another low, raspy sound.

"Don't push too hard, Dad," Katara said.

He motioned for her to get close to his face.  She listened to him whisper something.  

"I love you, too, Dad," she said.  

OlOlOlOlOlO

Hakoda's strength steadily grew after that.  Although he had kept both his right arm and his right leg, his leg would never be the same.  It was extremely emaciated due to muscle attack and atrophy.  

Because he was now awake, more friends would stop by to visit.  The house again became a happy place to be.

"Just in time, Dad," Sokka said a few days later.  

"I know.  Really poor timing on my part – or should I say on the polar lepoard's part.  At least I'll be there though," said Hakoda.    

OlOlOlOlOlO

22 months ASC

Most of the out-of-town guests arrived only a day before the wedding.  Because it was going to be an intimate affair, the guests only included some of Sokka and Suki's closest friends – a few of the the Kyoshi Warriors, Toph, The Duke, Zuko and Mai.  The Kyoshi Warriors found a place to stay with Gran-Gran and Pakku while the others decided to stay with Aang and Katara.  

Toph and The Duke were the first to arrive early in the day.  A few of the villagers noticed them walking from a nearby ship that was offloading and notified Katara of their arrival.  Katara ran to see them.  

"Toph!" yelled Katara as she ran up to her.  

"Hey Sugar Queen!" Toph yelled back.  "Come get me before I die out here!  I can't see a thing!"  The Duke was currently leading her across the ice.  

Katara quickly grabbed her other shoulder and helped lead her into the village and to the house.

Aang was already in the house meditating before all the festivities began.  

"Twinkletoes!" Toph yelled as soon as she noted his presence.

"I wasn't trying to meditate or anything, Toph," Aang remarked.  

"Ah, no worries Aang.  I know you were just passing time until I arrived," said Toph.  

Toph and The Duke took their stuff to one of the guest rooms.  

"Can I talk to you for a minute, Toph?" said Katara.  She pulled her aside so she could have a private conversation.  "Are you guys still just friends?"

"Yeah.  He's still a little young – not even into girls yet.  He's my best friend," Toph replied.  

"You guys ok sleeping in the same room?" asked Katara.

"Oh, we sleep together a lot," said Toph.  "I don't know if I could sleep without him next to me, actually."

"Uh, ok then," said Katara, still not firmly sure how to handle the situation.  

Katara walked back into the living room and saw Aang just taking a seat after putting away some of the pillows and mats he often used for meditation.  

"Everything ok?" Aang asked.

"Yeah.  Everything's fine," Katara answered.

Toph walked back in the room without The Duke.  "The Duke is unpacking out stuff – but before he comes in here, I wanted to have a little chat with you guys."

"What about?" asked Aang.

"Come on.  You know," said Toph.  

"What?" asked Katara.

Toph gave them both a look.  "Earthbender?" she said extending her hand.  "Very good Earthbender?"

Aang and Katara were still oblivious to her meaning.

"You're pregnant, Katara.  I can feel the baby's heartbeat!" Toph spurt out bluntly.

"Oh, that.  I forgot you'd be able to tell," said Katara.  

"Actually I wasn't sure," said Aang.  "We are standing on a big block of ice."

"I can still feel the vibrations," said Toph.  "So spill it.  Details?"

"I'm, um, almost three months along now.  The baby is due in winter," said Katara.

"Well, well.  I was waiting to hear when the cloud babies were coming.  Congratulations!" she said as she hugged them both one at a time.  

"Cloud babies?" said Aang.

"Yeah, y'know.  Air and water?" said Toph.

"Ahhh," remarked Aang.

<knock-knock>

Aang went to the door to see who was there.  

"Mai!  Zuko!" said Aang, happily greeting the last of his overnight guests.  He grabbed Zuko's forearm and squeezed.  Aang grabbed both of Mai's arms and lifted them up to waist-level so he could see her stomach.  "And Mai, look at you!"

"Yeah.  Look at me," she said flatly.

"How far along are you now?" asked Katara from across the room.  

"Five months," Mai replied curtly, as usual.  

"You're pregnant, too?" asked Toph.

"Too?" Zuko interrupted.  "You're pregnant, Toph?"

"No!  Katara is!" Toph exclaimed.

"Katara, you're pregnant?" Zuko asked.

"Uh, well, this is sudden," said Katara with a slight blush to her cheeks and feeling just a tad bit overwhelmed.  "Yes, I'm pregnant.  You guys are all the first to know – we haven't told anyone yet.  Just about three months in case you were going to ask that next."  

"That's great!" replied Zuko.  "Congratulations!"

"At least it'll take some of the attention off of me.  I'm sick of people touching me all the time," remarked Mai.  

"Don't mind her.  It's the hormones," said Zuko.

Toph whispered to Aang, "I thought she was like that all the time."

Sokka then stuck his head into the open door.  "Knock-knock," he said to everyone.  "We thought we saw Zuko and Mai arrive."

"Hey Sokka!" said Zuko, giving him a forearm-to-forearm grab.  "Getting nervous?"

"No, not really.  I've been to so many weddings these past couple of years, I figure it's just my turn," said Sokka.  "What's going on here?"

"We were talking babies," said Zuko.  

"Oh yeah, that's right.  Mai's pregnant," said Sokka.

"…and Katara, too!" said Toph, taking her opportunity to tell yet another person and spoil the surprise.  

Sokka turned to face the doorway and say something to Suki when he whipped back around to face everyone in the living room with his jaw dropped.  "Katara is…what?"

"I'm pregnant," said Katara to her brother.  "About three months."

"And you didn't mention this to me before why?" said Sokka.

"Don't get your underpants in a wad," said Katara.  "Aang and I didn't tell anyone until today – and the only reason this is even being discussed now is because Toph can't keep her big mouth shut."

"Don't blame me," said Toph who put on an air of innocence in her demeanor.  "I can't help it I can hear the heartbeat."

"Wow, that's cool," said Suki who was now inside the house behind Sokka.  

Sokka grabbed Katara by the wrist and led her into one of the bedrooms.  

"Sokka, what is your problem?" Katara demanded.

"I don't know.  The news is just so sudden.  Are you ok?" he asked.  

"Sokka, I'm fine.  Remember I told you Aunt Wu gave us a prediction about when our first child would be born?" said Katara.

"Yeah, and you wouldn't tell me when…," said Sokka.

"Well, she said the baby would be born next winter.  We knew when this was going to happen.  We were prepared for it," said Katara.  "Aang and I are fine."

"Sorry.  I guess I was the one a little unprepared for it," said Sokka.

Katara gave him a kiss on the cheek.  "Thanks for being my big brother," she said.