Toph's been acting really weird lately. It's been couple of weeks and there hadn't one day she didn't yell at one of her officers. She didn't allow any mistake to go unnoticed and she became extremely annoyed with irresponsible acts. Aang knew something was up. But he didn't have the right time to talk to her. Nor did she ever give any chance for him to.
Katara became worried as always when Aang told her about their friend's 'in-a-way-crazy' act. "I know she's upset over something but she is not letting me help" He said to his wife. "Why don't you try? You are good at it"
"Take her to dinner tomorrow, both of them" Katara suggested. "She didn't visit in two weeks and that's really odd. Kya and Bumi miss her so much." She told handing over the infant Tenzin to Aang.
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"May be Aang," Toph said bending her media bracelet in to numerous shapes absentmindedly, not really paying attention to Aang, when he invited her and 'him' for a friendly dinner at the Air Normad temple. Aang was annoyed by her ignorance towards him. He had been watching her for the last three weeks and never did she talk to him properly. Unless it was official she'd brush off every conversation they had. She got easily annoyed and irritated. Most of the time, she kept quiet. If she opened her mouth, it was to give an order or to yell at her officers. It bothered Aang, because, for the last 20 years he'd known her, Toph go solitary like this only when she's extremely upset. Aang hated it when she barricaded herself and rejected every help offered.
Aang rose from his seat and took few angry steps to her's. He slammed his fist to her desk while placing his other palm on her shoulder. Toph stopped bending and for the first time in three weeks, 'looked' up at him with a slightly surprised yet stoic expression on her ivory face.
"Katara is willing to see you, the kids miss you and we haven't had a friendly get away in months. We haven't even talked properly for weeks." He said collecting his composure quickly. "Please Toph! I'll personally talk to Ohev. Let's have some fun. It's been a while."
Aang thought Toph flinched at Ohev's name, or did he imagine it? She sighed and gave him a small smile while lightly pushing him aside. "Geez, relax Twinkle Toes. I'll- We'll try to come."
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Two hours passed since dinnertime. She didn't show up. They didn't show up. Aang was disappointed. Bumi started to cry in anger. "Aunt Toph is bad" The toddler stuttered between sobs. Katara put them to bed with great difficulty while Aang made a phone call to Toph and Ohev's. None answered the call. Toph or Ohev were not in their offices as well. "You should go and check on them." Katara said with a small pout. "I really was looking forward to talk to her."
Aang took his glider and flew to the night. Toph & Ohev lived in a nice cozy house a mile away from the Police headquarters. Aang landed in the front yard and made his way in to the house, in which the front door was ajar. Toph was sitting on a wooden chair. She was 'looking out' of the high windows. A faraway look in her hazy eyes. Traces of dried tears barely visible on her face. She was beyond distracted. So lost in her own thoughts that she didn't realize Aang had entered the house and standing right by her side, looking down at her with eyes full of concern.
"Toph?" He said startling her.
"Aang?" Toph snapped out of her thoughts. Her voice weak. "I didn't realize you were here." She said hastily standing up.
But Aang placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and made her sit back. "Want to tell me what this is about." He asked softly but firmly. "You are not yourself Toph and it bothers me. Please talk to me; I'm your friend, aren't I?"
Toph did not answer immediately. She stayed silent for a while. Her head bowed. Aang gave her shoulder a little squeeze. "Please Toph, Let me help."
"You can't." She finally spoke.
"What happened Toph? And where is Ohev? Is he OK? Did something happen to him?" Aang asked not ready to give up that easy.
Once again Toph flinched hearing Ohev's name. She stood up and walked towards the window, crossed her arms and 'looked' away. "He's gone." She said trying her best to keep her voice even.
"Gone? What you mean 'gone'?" Aang asked walking towards her.
"He's gone gone." Toph said in an irritated voice. "He lef- We got separated"
Aang stared. "What? But you two were happy tog-"
"He didn't want a life in the city." Toph said, not turning to him. "We were arguing for months. I just can't run around with him. We are not kids anymore. We have responsibilities. He didn't want to handle any." She ranted as if she was letting it all out. "I can't abandon the city. I helped build it. He doesn't understand."
Aang was angry with Ohev. How could he just walk out like this? How could he hurt his friend? If he didn't want to stay with her, why did he marry her?
"I'm gonna find him, and I will talk to him." Aang said heavily. "He doesn't know what he's leaving behind. You don't deserve this Toph."
"Don't" Toph said, turning to him and grabbing him from the upper arm. "If you love someone truly you don't force anything on them. If they want to leave, you let them go." She said weakly but firmly. "I guess we are not meant to be."
Aang stared at her in sorrow and awe for a moment before he hugged her. He hugged her and held on to her for a long while as Toph let few tears roll down her face to Aang's shoulder. When finally he let her go, Aang kissed Toph on the forehead and murmured, "I'm so sorry Toph"
"Don't worry about us, we'll be OK." Toph assured him.
"Us?" Aang asked.
"I didn't tell him, because, I thought it might stop him from living the life he wanted. I didn't want him to stay for the wrong reasons." Toph continued with her head bowed.
Aang took her by shoulders and shook her a little. "Toph?" he prompted.
"I'm pregnant. One month." Toph managed to say with a sob. "Just found out last week. I was feeling funny and I went to a healer. And she sai-"
Aang, for the second time that evening, hugged her tight. It killed him to see her this broken.
"You'll be OK. I know you will." Aang murmured to her hair."You have always been."
Toph silently sobbed in to Aang's friendly shoulder for a while. She felt calm at last. She knew she wasn't alone and her friends will always be there to help her. But it still hurt that Ohev left and her child will not endure a paternal love. But it'll have to live with it. Like Toph had to tolerate her parents.
"Thanks Aang!" She said parting from him. Aang did not answer. He knelt down in front of her and placed his palm on her stomach. Toph watched her eyes wide.
"It's a girl" Aang said smiling up at her. "This is just how Kya felt like when Katara had her in her."
Toph just stared as Aang talked to her stomach as he was talking to a baby. "Hi there! It's your uncle Aang, sweetheart. I look forward to meet you. So, hurry up and come out. We'll get along famously, won't we?"
Tiny smile graced Toph's lips. May be her child will have a father's love. So what if it's not her own father. As long as she's loved genuinely, she won't feel left alone." Toph knew this by experience. She lost her family but another found her. Aang, Katara and Sokka. There are still there for her and she was thankful.
"You won't spoil my kid, will you?" Toph asked mockingly. "Because yours are brats. Adorable, but still brats!"
"Don't let your mom toughen you too much. We'll be goofy!" Aang said to Toph's stomach with a really goofy grin. Then he got up facing Toph. He placed a soothing palm on her face and smiled. "She'll be powerful, passionate and dynamic. She'll be a fine jade Toph. Just like you!"
Toph smiled taking his hand in her own. "Fine Jade?" I think I know what to name her now. "Lin"
