Fire Lord and Fire Lady lay together in their chambers, a dim light coming from a candle on Mai's armoire. They could barely make out each other's faces.

"Mai... have you... have you ever thought about starting a family?" Zuko asked quietly.

"Well, if you want to have sex with me so badly, just say so." Mai smirked. Mai knew he was being serious, but she panicked. She didn't want to have this discussion now. Things were perfect- why ruin it?

"I'm positive that I am not the motherly type." She rushed, knowing it sounded like an excuse.

"You'd be a wonderful mother, Mai. I know you would."

Mai smirked. "What part of me is fit to be a mother, Zuko? I'm nothing like Ursa was. I'm not gentle, or kind, or understanding. I'm not nurturing, and I doubt my patience would hold out long."

"I don't think you need any of those things to be a mother."

"Well, I don't want to turn out like my mother, either."

Zuko sighed, throwing his hand up in defeat. "Okay, okay, sorry. Just... think about it, okay?"

Mai did think about it. The notion consumed her thoughts. She'd never had a good relationship with her mother, so the idea of motherhood hadn't really occured to her. Of course, producing the next heir was what was expected of her. Li and Lo reminded her of that frequently, but Mai had always pushed her worry to the back of her mind, and enjoyed the moment. She was in love with Zuko. She liked it to be the two of them, and didn't want a baby added to the mix. But when she'd looked at Zuko's face, so hopeful... she'd considered it. Her mind wandered, imagining herself like Zuko's mother, Ursa... walking her child in the garden, praising her husband. Then, before she was even aware, she was thinking of names for her baby.

Less than a month later, Zuko kissed her as she was letting her hair down. Mai knew it was time to say what she needed to.

"I..." Mai started. "I- I want it."

"You want what?" Zuko looked at his wife quizzically.

"I want to have a baby."

His good eye opened wide, taken aback at first. Then Zuko then kissed his wife, overjoyed. Mai smiled at his ability to show his happiness, and made an effort to look excited. From the amusement on Zuko's face, she imagined her expression must look twisted and forced. They sat in bed together, both astounded by the turn of events.

"Do you want a boy, or a girl?" Zuko asked, holding Mai's hand. He could barely keep the excitement from his voice.

"It doesn't matter to me, as long as it doesn't make too much noise."

Zuko rolled his eyes at Mai. "I think I want to have a girl."

"Don't let the advisors hear you say that. They're hounding me about producing an heir as soon as possible. A girl would be such a disappointment to them."

She remembered how her mother had felt that way when she was born. The only comfort was that Mai had been beautiful, and any man would be thrilled to have her. But still, her parents had never been satisfied.

She would never let their daughter- had a daughter- feel that way.

"I'm not having a baby with my advisors, I'm having one with you. Besides, maybe it's time for a woman to take over the throne."

"Hmm... I suppose after every other tradition you've ignored, abolishing another wouldn't be surprising." Mai said as playfully as she could manage.

"I want her to be beautiful, like you." Zuko murmured, nuzzling Mai's neck.

"My, aren't we in a complimentary mood?"

"If you weren't so sarcastic all the time, I wouldn't feel like it's wasted."

"Trust me, it isn't wasted. I appreciate, deep down."

"Maybe I'll stop being so nice!" Zuko growled, rolling over on top of Mai. He kissed her several times before starting to slip her night gown off.

Mai struggled to push him off. "Wait, wait! Nobody said we had to get started tonight!"