Day 1: Family

Sokka's POV

You know when you think about it, our group (or Team Avatar, as I'd like ot call it) is really dysfunctional. It's really weird how very different people became the best of friends...No, wait. We're more than that. We became a family.

I mean, look at it. There's Aang, the goody-goody spiritual mumbo-jumbo boy...and of course he's the avatar. It was really hard for me to trust him but hey, give me a break. The world was at war that time. I admit, I didn't like him at first but I've really grown to love him as a younger brother over time. How could you not? He's always trying to help people out and he never hurts others unintentionally. He's even a vegetarian, for spirits' sake! I can't imagine living my life without meat...Anyway, I owe my life to that guy. He has literally saved my ass countless times and protected me and my sister from harm. I guess that's always been his nature. He was raised by monks, for crying out loud. I guess even if he never told us about his birth mom and stuff, I think he was really happy there. He had that guy...What was his name again? Oh yeah. Gyatso. It's good that Aang had a father figure to look up to even with all the pressure of being the Avatar. I have to admit though, his overall kindness and sort-of-know-it-all-ness kind of annoys me sometimes...just a teensy bit.

Then there's Suki, my oh-so-hot and awesome girlfriend (who so doesn't make me feel less masculine in any way at all...). I didn't like her at first. To me, she was all snotty and Little Miss I'm-A-Woman-And-I-Can-Kick-Your-Ass-Any-Day. I know, I know. I was such a sexist back then but she proved me wrong. I had to learn it the hard way. Do you have any idea how itchy that Kyoshi dress was? God, it was torture. Plus...sometimes, she scares me. Not because she threatened to kill me or anything like that...but because she does so many dangerous things and I'm just afraid I won't be there to protect her. I can't let that happen again...not after Yue. But, I was glad when she joined the group later on. That way, we had more people to help...plus I could keep my eye on her.

Then there's Toph. Now she was a challenge. She was all like, "Ooh...I'm rich and strong and ungirly! I'm a total rebel! Kiss my ass!" at first but then we cracked that hard shell open and we found out she was a total softie. She was just a troubled kid. I get where she's coming from. Her parents raised her like a princess but treated her like she was this totally handicapped person who can't fend for herself. She's beyond far from that. She's also saved me and my sister a lot of times. I remember when Azula and her cronies were chasing us. If it wasn't for her, we probably would be rotting in a Fire Nation prison right now. But still, it felt nice knowing that we understood her...the real her. It really strengthened out bond with each other. Also, I think it helped her a lot because she found out she didn't need to wear that hard shell all the time and she can just be anyone she wants when she's around us. Still, learning how to open up didn't stop her from punching us...punching us really, really hard.

Oh wait. I almost forgot. I haven't talked about my sister yet! Wow, I'm such a jerk sometimes...Well, actually, there have been a lot of times where I was a real asshole to her. I remember that time I wouldn't even believe in her waterbending powers. Then, there was the time I singled her out of the tribe for being friends with Aang. Oh yeah, there was that time when we were in the Fire Nation and she became the Painted Lady and I was trying to convince her to just leave. I still feel really bad for all those things. I mean, I'm her big brother. I should be taking care of her and keeping her safe but lately, it's been the other way around. I know she can take care of herself but I worry sometimes. I just don't want her to have the same fate as our mother. If my dad and I lost her, I don't know what we would do. For me, it would be like losing my mother again. That's why I was really overprotective at first but soon, I learned to let go...

Now, here's someone interesting. Zuko...Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation. Actually, it's Fire Lord Zuko now. Anyway, I had a bad feeling about him ever since I first saw his cocky face on his ship that day back at the South Pole. I hated his guts back then. Who could blame me? He chased us all around the world. He kidnapped Aang countless times. He bribed my sister with our mother's necklace. He attacked Suki's village. He tried to take Aang's unconscious body while his spirit was in the Spirit World. Not to mention he sent Combustion Man after us... Okay, I could go on and on but it would be pointless. Anyway, I remember that day when we were at the Western Air Temple. Combustion Man was slowly destroying one of the buildings. We couldn't attack him without being shot by his "evil eye." Then, Zuko came. He actually saved us (I mean, my boomerang did most of the work, but still...). At that moment, my hate for him lessened a bit. As I've said before,how could you hate someone who saved your life? But I really started to accept him when we were at the Boiling Rock. He actually risked his life for me and my stupid (but successful)plan. He was even caught and yet, he didn't betray me. What's more, he actually convinced Mai to switch sides. That night, after we arrived back at the temple, I felt all my anger at him vanish and it was replaced with respect and brotherhood. I'm sure he felt the same joy I did when all of us finally accepted him into the family...

It's just kind of strange that I'm doing it again right now. Here I am, standing behind Zuko as his best man while he waited at the altar for his bride. Then, my sister arrived with her arm interlocked with our father's. She was wearing a blue silk wedding dress (as she requested) with a thin white veil over her face. She had panda lilies in her hand and in her hair, which was in a fire nation-style updo but she kept her hair loopies. I've never seen her look happier or more beautiful than she does right now. She was smiling eagerly at her groom, Fire Lord Zuko, who was wearing Fire Lord garments and his crown.

My eyes roamed to the sides, where Toph, Aang, Suki and the rest of our friends sat. Toph was the flower girl. I know what you're thinking. I was surprised that she agreed too but my sister had her ways... Right now, she was wearing this formal green dress which she had been trying to crawl out of since she wore it and her hair was in an updo as well. I knew she was wearing pants underneath. She would never be caught dead in something as girly as that. Aang was one of Zuko's groomsmen. When he first found out about Zuko and Katara's relationship, he wouldn't even look at any of them. But I talked to him about it...I taught him how to let go, just like I did with Yue. It was good he wasn't as hard-headed as Toph... Suki was a bridesmaid, wearing a Fire Nation dress she bought in town. She looked so hot in red. My god I just want to- Oh wait, my dad just "sent off" my sister to Zuko. He had tears in his eyes. My dad? Crying? Now that quite a sight.

I saw Zuko take Katara's arm and help her up the stairs to the altar. I heard him whisper in her ear, telling her she looked beautiful. God, they're so sweet I could cry. Actually, I really am about to cry. God, not now, Sokka. Not now...You can do this...

I held back tears as the ceremony continued. When they said their vows, I looked around and saw almost everyone crying, even Aang. Of course, Toph proceeded to punch him in the arm. (By the way, did I mention how cute they would look as a couple?)

Anyway, the time came when they were about to wear the rings. Zuko turned to me and held out his hand. I stared at it blankly and was puzzled. What was he asking for?

"What?" I said, obviously clueless

"Dude...Don't play around..." he said, smiling at what he thought was a joke

"Dude, seriously, what are you asking for?"

"Umm...the rings?"

"Oh...right. The rings..." Okay, now I remember. I reached inside my pocket and tried to find them.

"Right..." I said nervously. "Give me a second."

"Oh, god. Don't tell me you forgot..." he said, slowly getting pissed.

I looked around nervously and saw that the crowd was starting to wonder about what was happening. I looked behind him and saw my sister glaring at me.

I was seriously scared. If Zuko didn't kill me, my sister would. Oh please let the rings be here...please please please please...Then, I finally gripped two cold metal rings and handed them to Zuko.

"Here!" I said, nervously laughing to hide my fear. "Got you scared there for a moment, didn't I?"

He continued glaring at me and I gulped. Then, his expression softened and he patted me on the back.

"Look who's talking..." he said, chuckling as he turned to face Katara again

The couple said their vows and made the whole crowd tear up again. I was still trying to stay strong and keep a straight face. Then, Zuko lifted my sister's veil and kissed her. Meh...I was used to that already. Then, he turned to the crowd and called everyone's attention.

"Everyone, I would like to formally introduce to you Katara, Ambassador of the Southern Water Tribe, your new Fire Lady and of course, my beloved wife."

Everyone aww-ed at this. Who knew Hot Pants could be so cheesy?

They made their way down the aisle as people cheered them on and threw petals along their way. Everyone followed them soon so that the reception could begin...everyone except me, that is. I stayed at the altar staring at the door where my sister and Zuko left. It hasn't sunken into me yet that they were married and that my sister was no longer that little girl I used to play with. She was a grown woman who fell in love with someone who loved her back. She was going to have a family now...one of her own. That would mean she wouldn't be living with me and dad anymore. That would mean I would really have to let her go...

At that moment, the tears started falling down my cheeks. Before my vision blurred, I saw Suki rushing to me asking me if I was okay.

"Y-Yeah..." I stuttered. "J-Just fine..."

"Aww...Sokka, you're crying!" she said, pulling me towards the door

"Oh Suki! I can't take it!" I wailed into her shoulder. "My baby sister's growing up!"

I sobbed all the way to the reception hall.

Katara's POV

When Sokka arrived at the reception, he was bawling. I rushed over to Suki and asked her what's wrong. Of course, I had to have the "I'll always be your little sister" talk with Sokka. We both ended up crying after talking.

"Hey, Sokka...Why don't you go eat something?" I said. "It's my wedding! Eat, dance, have a cookie!"

"Well...I don't really feel like it. " he said, still moping

"Really? Even with all those stewed sea prunes?"

"Th-There are stewed sea prunes?"

"Uh-huh...We had them shipped right from home...Nobody in the reception really likes them so I thought maybe you would want them for yourself but since you don't..."

I smirked at him. He was practically drooling at the thought of stewed sea prunes all to himself.

"Yeah?" he said. "W-Well maybe you can find someone else to take them off your hands..."

"Hmm...maybe. Oh, did I mention there's a whole table full of meat?"

"W-What kind of meat?"

"Oh, every kind of meat! Fried, boiled, steamed, roasted, sauteed, stewed...But since you don't want any, I'll let the guests fin-"

"Wait! I'm not going to let all that food go to waste!"

He ran off to the reception hall as fast as he could. I just giggled at my brother. Then, a hand was on my shoulder. I turned around as quick as I could and prepared to defend when I saw my husband's confused face staring back at me.

"Oh...Zuko, it's only you..." I said, putting my hand on my chest in relief

"I came looking for you after you ran off to your brother. I panicked and thought you were in trouble..." he said sheepishly

"Oh please. Even if I was, I can handle myself."

"Yeah, but still..." he said, leading me to the balcony and wrapping his arms around me from behind. "You know I'd do anything to keep you safe..."

"I love you, you know that?" I said, leaning into him and basking in his warmth

"Yeah, I pretty much got the message when you said 'I do."'

I giggled when he said this and he nuzzled me.

"So...what was Sokka crying about?"

"He couldn't accept the fact that I was growing up. He kept crying and wailing 'Don't go! Don't go!'"

"Ahh...well, that's expected. I mean, he's my bestfriend but your brother is kind of insane."

"Understatement much?"

We both laughed at the joke.

"Let's just hope our kids don't get his crazy gene." he told me

"Excuse me, aren't you the one with the crazy sister and demented father?"

"Well...yes..."

"And weren't you once that insane?"

"Well...you loved me anyway."

"I know...Although I hated dealing with you when you were like that..."

"You weren't Little Miss Normal too, you know. Sokka told me about that time you and Toph were fighting and you were all like 'I'm completely calm!' but your face was like..."

Then, he made a weird facial expression, trying to copy what I did that day. I playfully slapped his arm and became hysterical with laughter. He soon joined me and after quite a while, we calmed down.

"So...is your whole family like that? As in is everyone born with the whole internal conflict thing?"

"I suppose..."

"Is it...contagious?"

"Are you worried you'll go bad like Azula?"

"Kind of...Well, I'm at least worried about the kids..."

"But Katara...we don't even have kids yet..."

"That's kind of what I want to talk to you about..."

Zuko turned me around so I was facing him. His eyes were wide and his mouth was open. He looked at my belly and then back into my eyes.

"You mean...?" he asked, his mouth forming a small grin.

"Uh-huh..." I smiled back

"Boy or girl?"

"Both, actually..."

"Both? You mean..."

"Uh-huh..."

"That's great!"

He lifted me up, spun me around and kissed me.

"B-But how could you have gotten pregnant?" he asked

"Do you remember that night at Ember Island? We were wasted on cactus juice and things got a little...steamy..."

"Oh..." he said, smirking at me. "That night...That was one good night..."

He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I just kissed his cheek.

"So do you want me to announce it to everyone?" he asked

"Later..." I said, as we returned to our previous position at the balcony. "Let's just stay here right now..."

A few minutes later, I noticed Zuko rubbing my stomach and whispering words to it.

"Zuko? What are you telling the babies?" I asked, smiling at my husband

"I'm asking them to be careful when they come out so they won't harm their mommy too much."

"What else?"

"I'm begging them to not be like Azula or my father...or your slightly-insane brother..."

"That's a lot to ask from babies..."

"Well, nothing's wrong with starting early."

"Do you think we'll be good parents?"

"I think so...There's no reason for us not be..."

"Promise me something, Zuko."

"What is it?"

"If I start to become a bad parent or spouse, promise me you'll tell me so I can change..."

"I'll only do that if you promise the same to me as well."

"Okay then..."

Then, we shared our second kiss as husband and wife, in each other's arms, in front of the sunset. When we broke off for air, he knelt down in front of me and kissed my belly.

Deep inside, I was scared to become a mother because I wasn't ready. But then, he whispered words that assured me that even if I was afraid, he would be there with me, guiding me and loving me every step of the way.

"Welcome to the family, kids..."

Author's Note: So...this is Day 1. I think that whole Sokka thing was unrelated but I wasn't sure so I just included it anyway. Do you hate it? Tell me please!

Hope you enjoyed it! R&R please! :)