They arrived in the Fire Nation with a great deal of fanfare. The citizens were obviously in a celebratory mood. Fire Nation flags hung from balconies and out of windows. Katara was surprised and touched to see that Zuko and Mai instead elected to hang banners representing each Nation at the Palace itself in honor of their visitors. At the center of them, hanging above the main entry, was the banner bearing the Avatar's seal. There was the sound of trumpets as they banked around the Palace, where the stables butted up against the rear wall. She could hear cheering from the crowds in the streets below.

Katara still found all of this daunting and a little embarrassing but Aang always accepted pageantry graciously enough for both of them. Equally disorienting was the fact that Katara now found herself on the receiving end of nearly as much reverential treatment as Aang. She wasn't sure whether this was simply because she was the Avatar's wife or because - as Aang so often suggested - her renown as an accomplished Healer and war hero was spreading. People had certainly heard of her and she didn't think she could ever really get used to being approached by strangers, people she had never met addressing her as if they knew her.

They touched down at the Palace and Appa followed the stable hands, leaving them with barely a glance. A visit to the Fire Nation always meant baths and grooming for him - jobs that the acolytes at the Air Temple were now undertaking but not on such an ostentatious level. A friendly attendant was there to meet them and take them to their room in the guest wing.

Aang always preferred more spartan quarters and Zuko arranged long ago to have one of the apartments stripped down for him. The only indulgence he insisted on providing them was the view; the balcony off of the bedroom looked out over the courtyard, onto the turtleduck pond and ornamental garden. The attendant stood just inside the door.

"I'll notify Lord Zuko that you've arrived," he said, "I'm sure he'll be down presently. In the meantime, is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Can you tell me if my brother is here yet?" Katara asked.

The man smiled, "He arrived this morning, as a matter of fact. He is staying in his usual room if you-"

"If you NEEDED to go and find him," Sokka cut in, sidling past the man, "but you don't because he heard trumpets and bison noises so he knew you were here already." Katara laughed and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. The attendant bowed, excusing himself. Sokka released his sister and turned to embrace Aang, the two of them pounding each other's backs with brotherly affection.

"How was the trip?" Sokka asked, turning again to face Katara.

"Fine," she said, "What about yours?"

Sokka sighed, "Quiet. So. Quiet. We left the baby with Dad. Suki's taking a nap in our room right now. Actually, is it still a nap if it lasts more than four hours?"

Katara pouted, "I brought presents!" she protested.

Sokka waved her off, "Babies don't even know what presents are. Give them to me, I'll be happier about it than she would be." He reached out to grip Aang's shoulder, suddenly serious, "Did you get my letter? With the grant request from the Water Tribe chefs?"

Katara groaned, "No business! We just GOT here."

"YES business," Sokka replied, "This is FOOD business, the only kind I care about."

Aang grinned, "I got it but I don't understand why. I'm not even part of the restaurant district committee."

Sokka rolled his eyes, "You're the Avatar! You have pull with EVERY committee. Don't let your sea prune bias scare you off. These guys are in for the long haul. Their food is excellent and they have a really solid business plan. TIMELESS Water Tribe cuisine, but some great comfort food, too. Their noodles are so amazing you'll probably be eating them in your next lifetime."

"Noted," Aang said, chuckling.

xXXx

Zuko's private reception room was furnished with soft couches and low tables and a bell summoned attendants from the kitchens. It proved to be an excellent place to catch up. Suki and Ty Lee immediately installed themselves in a corner to talk. Suki hadn't yet returned to training full time with the Kyoshi Warriors and was starting to get antsy under the watchful eye of Sokka and the Water Tribe healers. Zuko hustled Katara off to a pair of armchairs where he had the list of herbs Mai had been given ("I trust our herbalists but I think you could give me a more complete picture, your experience is much more varied than theirs..."). Sokka and Toph - who had only just arrived from Ba Sing Se - were attacking a fruit platter with gusto.

Aang crossed the room and gestured to the empty space on the couch next to Mai.

"Do you mind?"

She gave a small smile and shook her head.

Aang sat and peered over at the tiny bundle in Mai's arms.

"Do you want to hold her?" she asked.

Aang hesitated, "Oh, that's all right, I mean...it's been a while since I've..."

"You'd be doing me a favor," Mai joked, "I've been holding her all day and it's getting dull." When he still looked hesitant she sat up and passed the baby off to him before he could stop her.

"Sit back and try to relax a little," she offered, "Don't worry. You're sitting down, you can't drop her."

Aang nodded but still looked unsure. Mai leaned over and tickled the baby's chin.

"Do you think she looks more like me or Zuko?" she asked.

He looked down at the baby again and she stared up at him, silent.

"I..." he squinted, "I'm not sure." He looked up again to find Mai watching him, chin in her hand.

"You know, I've always thought you were a sweet guy but you look even more adorable holding a baby. If that's even possible." Mai delivered this in her typical drawl, sounding dismissive, but Aang knew she must be well aware of the drama surrounding the Council and was grateful for her attempts to reassure him.

"Thanks," he said.

"Look at how she's staring at you," Mai murmured, laughter in her voice. She pointed at her daughter, "She does it to Zuko, too, because of his scar I think. Maybe it's your tattoos. I know they can't really focus at this age but she does seem to respond to contrasting colors."

Aang looked down at the little girl whose gaze was fixed on his face. She was silent, eyes wide.

To his surprise Mai laid her hand on his arm and he looked up at her again, "Try not to worry about the Council."

He gave a weary smile and nodded.

"By the way," Mai said, sounding bored again, "She's not the only one staring."

Aang's eyes swept the room and caught Katara watching him. She smiled and walked over, kneeling to rest her hands gently on his knees. She leaned in to look at the baby.

"She's really lovely," Katara said, "Look at all of that hair already!" She reached over and squeezed Mai's hand, "How are you feeling? Zuko gave me the rundown on your postpartum care, I don't think I could have done a better job myself."

"Oh, I'm fine. It's not as bad as I was expecting and the healers and herbalists have been a big help."

"Sorry, is Sokka asleep?" Aang asked, peering past Katara, "Or should we be concerned?"

Katara glanced over her shoulder to the corner, where Sokka was stretched out on one of the overstuffed couches, "Yeah, as soon as his stomach was full he crashed. I think he was more sleep deprived than he was letting on." She addressed Mai, "Can I get you anything?"

She shook her head, "Honestly, what I really need is to get out of here for a little bit."

Ty Lee bounded over, having overheard this, "Yes! Let's go SHOPPING. There's a little store that is selling the most ADORABLE baby clothes." She grasped Mai's hands and pulled her gently to her feet. She gestured to Suki, standing across the room.

"Come on," she called, "We're kidnapping Mai."

Zuko stood hastily, "Are you sure you're all right to-"

"I'll keep an eye on her, Zuko," Katara reassured him.

"We can come along if we-"

"Nope," Katara cut in, "this is a ladies only excursion." She gave Aang a quick kiss and stood, "We'll be back in a couple of hours," she said.

The four of them walked toward the door and Toph cleared her throat as they passed.

"If it's a ladies only excursion I should come, too."

"Seriously?" Aang replied, as Zuko stooped to retrieve his daughter.

"Yeeaah," Toph murmured, sounding a little distracted. "I'll catch you in the morning, Twinkletoes. We can swap horror stories about these dopes we're training." She waved as she trotted out the door to catch up to the group.

In the silence that followed (broken only by Sokka's snoring), Iroh gestured to Aang and Zuko, who followed him into the next room. It was cozier, just a single table with a tea service nearby.

"Let's give Master Sokka some peace and quiet." He patted Aang on the shoulder, "You two have a seat. I'll make tea."

They sat as Iroh arranged cups. None of them spoke for a while. Zuko's daughter dozed in his lap.

"The Council is still waiting for a response from you," he blurted, as if he'd been biting this back all evening.

Aang scowled and shook his head, "What am I supposed to say?" he muttered.

"What does your wife think?" Iroh asked, bringing a steaming teapot to the table.

Aang frowned, "I still haven't told her they contacted me."

Iroh glanced at him, cocking an eyebrow. Aang groaned.

"I don't even know how to bring this up." He gestured vaguely, "I don't want to rush her."

"But you HAVE talked about having kids, right?" Zuko asked.

"We talked about it when we WERE kids, when we first got together. It was never a question." He sighed, "We never talked about timing."

Iroh passed cups to Zuko and Aang in turn then sat back, arms folded across his chest.

"It must be difficult to discuss the future of your Nation without also addressing your loneliness," he offered.

Aang nodded emphatically, "And she knows - Katara knows how much she means to me." his brows knit together in frustration, "I don't want her to think she isn't ENOUGH. I don't want to talk about our children like they're some sort of OBLIGATION."

"Even though they are?" Zuko replied bluntly.

Aang grimaced and sipped his tea.

"Anyway," Zuko said lightly, "this avoidance is typical of you. You can't start your marriage out this way. This is a conversation you should be having with Katara, not us." When Aang didn't respond he continued, "I don't think you're giving Katara enough credit. She'll understand."

xXXx

The shop was blessedly nearly empty. Most business owners tried to close when Zuko and Mai came in so that they could shop in privacy. Both of them always tried to plead their way out of this and it sometimes resulted in uncomfortable situations that left people feeling insulted. Thankfully the woman running this place acquiesced, (there was only a single couple in the shop when they arrived, anyway). Suki and Ty Lee stood nearest Mai, Ty Lee trying to goad her into buying everything pink and Suki trying to talk her out of it. Toph stood nearby, hand on her hip, a small smile on her face as she listened to them.

Katara stopped in her tracks, surprised to see a table of Water Tribe inspired baby clothes. There were little dresses in blue and silver, even edged with fur. Katara touched one of them, smiling faintly.

"Ooooooo," Suki sidled up beside her, "Blue! Mai, buy her one of these. That dark hair of hers would really stand out."

Mai turned to look from across the table and shrugged noncommittally, "I don't know. Won't she be hot in all that fur?"

"It's only on the hems," Katara said, "A real Water Tribe parka would be fully lined. If you ever want one for her for traveling, just let me know. I'm sure anyone back home would love to know the Princess of the Fire Nation was wearing clothes they made."

Mai gave a small smile, "Thank you."

Ty Lee whirled around to face the other girls as well, "Speaking of Water Tribe babies-"

"No one mentioned Water Tribe babies," Toph interrupted.

"WHATEVER," Ty Lee groaned, waving her hand dismissively in Toph's direction, "Katara, when are you and Aang going to start having kids?"

Katara's face burned scarlet and she looked away. Suki laughed.

"Yeah, to be honest we've all kind of been wondering how long it would take," she said.

"It's certainly not for lack of trying, I'm sure," Toph put in.

Suki's eyes went wide, "I KNOW. You should see how he looks at her when he thinks no one notices."

Toph smirked, "It's so obvious I don't even need working eyes."

"Stop, stop!" Katara begged, holding her hands up, "You guys are so embarrassing." When everyone continued staring at her she rolled her eyes, her arms dropping to her sides in defeat, "We haven't really talked about timing. But, I mean, I'm sure he...we haven't exactly been CAREFUL..." Toph let out a bark of laughter.

"Ty Lee," Mai said, coming to Katara's rescue, "Pick whatever of these pink things you think are cutest for me but please don't go overboard."

Ty Lee squealed and dashed to the other side of the shop.