Air Temple Island was quiet as night set in, the sky almost black already. Even Katara and Aang's home was finally quiet, their four-month-old son asleep, hopefully for the night.
Aang wasn't home yet. This wasn't unusual, especially this week, when the United Republic Council was indoctrinating new members after the last election cycle.
Katara sat at the desk in the master bedroom, finishing a letter to Fire Lady Mai. Bumi was asleep in the bassinet she still kept in the room-the baby usually slept in the nursery now, but sometimes he'd still fret unless his parents were near, or sometimes, like tonight, Katara just liked the company.
She'd known what she was getting into, marrying the Avatar. Aang was kind, loving, and devoted... but he was also devoted to the rest of the world. She'd known that. Sometimes, though, her patience ran thin. At least now she had more than she did a few months ago, when the baby refused to let her sleep for more than two hours at a time. Aang had helped when he could, but he couldn't stay home 24/7, and sometimes her temper got the better of her when the Republic or the Earth Kingdom or the Fire Nation or the acolytes demanded 12 hour days from him.
Katara sealed the letter, and sighed. As she adjusted to motherhood and Bumi finally started sleeping through the night, her tolerance for her husband's work schedule slowly started to come back to her. But it was still hard sometimes, like tonight, when she knew he wasn't going to have much downtime for several weeks to come.
She might as well go to bed. Aang had told her this morning that he wasn't sure when today's council session would end. When he kissed her and the baby goodbye, there was that usual note of regret in his expression that always showed up during his particularly busy times.
Already ready for bed, Katara checked on her son one more time. He was still sound asleep, his dark hair adorably messy. She smoothed it down gently, then put out the light.
Later, in the dark, Aang crept in carefully so as not to wake his family. He hoped to get at least one afternoon off in the next few days, but he wouldn't tell Katara until he was sure. He kissed his son's forehead, again careful not to wake him, then his wife's cheek, brushing her dark hair out of her face, before finally getting ready for bed himself.
Katara smiled in her sleep.