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Chapter 3: I Can't Imagine My Life without Them
Zuko sped through his meeting in the next town, hoping to finish early, leave early and get home later that evening. The small manufacturing town was close to the capitol so his plan seemed feasible. He didn't want to offend anyone, but getting Mai home and comfortable and near the palace physician was more important to him than any meeting ever could be.
Mai was resting in a comfortable chair set up in the hallway outside the town's council chambers. Jee divided his time between watching the hallway and peering in the open door to keep watch on the kindly seeming council members.
"Jee, I'm fine. I've got my knives and I can see down the hall."
"Humph," the older man snorted. "If something happened to you, Zuko, well, I would hate to see it."
Mai just rolled her eyes. "I can take care of myself," she said but without much fervor.
"Yes, you can and so can Zuko. But an extra set of eyes never hurt. It's difficult to be alert all the time. And you're," Jee hesitated, "not feeling well."
"That's one way of putting it," Mai muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" Jee asked.
"I said that you're right," Mai recovered. "I wish it would cool down….just a bit," she moaned. "This heat is extreme even for a Fire Nation summer."
"Yes, it is," Jee agreed, wiping his brow as if for emphasis. "A good thunderstorm might clear things up."
"Here's hoping," Mai drawled.
She sat up straighter when the sound of chairs being pushed back reached her ears. Zuko walked out ahead of the townspeople and greeted Mai with a smile. She smiled back, relieved that things had gone well. Bowing humbly to their liege, the men and one woman proceeded down the hallway, leaving Zuko, Mai and Jee on their own.
"We can go home now," Zuko beamed.
"They seemed happy," Mai observed.
"They were easy to please," Zuko remarked. "Are you ready, Mai?"
"Yes!" she stated emphatically. "Let's go home."
Three hours later they arrived back at the palace. No one was expecting them until the next day, so the field was empty of a welcoming party. With a gleam in her eyes, Mai led Zuko through the maze that was the palace hallways, until they reached the nursery door. Ming grinned when she saw them but kept quiet when Mai put a finger to her lips. Quietly, she opened the door and turned it open just a crack. The room was silent and semi dark. Three shapes were on the carpet, two tiny and one adult. They were all asleep, Miyako snoring very softly. Carefully, Mai and Zuko backed up, the Fire Lady pulling the door closed again.
"They played outside most of the day," Ming informed the parents. "Lady Ursa looked tired when she brought them in."
"Oh, okay. We'll leave them alone for now. When they wake up, please let my mother know that we're back," Zuko said.
"I'm going to take the opportunity to have a bath," Mai remarked as they walked next door to their own bedroom.
"Sounds good," Zuko smirked and Mai quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Did I say you could join me?" she teased.
"Well, no, but it would save time," he pleaded.
"Fine," Mai agreed as she entered their room and began to disrobe. "I feel so sticky. Let's use cool water," she suggested.
"Whatever you want," Zuko agreed as he pulled out his diadem and slipped out of his robe.
They sat together in the water, letting their bodies cool. Mai washed her hair and Zuko rinsed it out with warmer water, making sure to remove all the suds. She rinsed his hair in turn. Leaning against the wall of the tub, Mai closed her eyes and almost fell asleep. She'd been so tired the last few days. It was an effort to do anything. She felt Zuko move closer and a smile tickled her lips. He nuzzled her neck and she responded with a blazing kiss that left Zuko gasping for breath.
"Hold that thought for later," Mai said as she rose from the tub. "I want to go see the kids now. I don't care if they're still sleeping."
A befuddled look on his face, Zuko followed. They both put on fresh, light clothes and went next door. Inside the nursery, Ursa was yawning and rubbing her eyes. She finally noticed her son and daughter-in-law and gave them a welcoming smile.
"You're early!" she exclaimed. "The twins will be thrilled. Nothing's wrong, is it?"
"No, actually, everything's right," Zuko answered mysteriously.
Ursa looked between Mai and Zuko. She thought for a minute.
"You're having a baby," she guessed.
"I'm pretty certain," Mai agreed.
"She's been nauseous and tired for the last few days," Zuko added. "And, you know…she's late."
Ursa smiled at her son's awkwardness then approached the couple, pulling them both into a warm embrace.
"If he or she is anything like those two," Ursa stated, pointing to a just waking Ryuhito and Miyako, you'll have your hands very full."
Zuko grinned. "How were they?"
"They tire me out. They chatter constantly and they run everywhere and poke everything and I can't imagine my life without them," Ursa answered.
"Why don't you leave them to us now?" Mai suggested.
"I will," Ursa replied emphatically. "But I want to hear about your trip tonight over dinner."
"Okay," Mai and Zuko replied simultaneously.
"Thanks for taking good care of them, Mom," Zuko added, looking directly into her eyes.
"It really was my pleasure," she said, her features softening as she thought of her grandchildren. "I'll see you tonight."
Mai walked over to the window, opened the shutters and pulled back the sheers, letting the sun illuminate the room and whatever breeze there was to flow through the room. Zuko sat down beside the twins, a grin on his face, as he watched them awaken. Rubbing sleepy eyes, both sat up and cried "Daddy!" as soon as they saw their father.
Zuko drew them both into a hug and pressed kisses to their foreheads. Watching from across the room, Mai couldn't help but grin herself. Zuko and the twins were sweet together. A wave of love and affection swept over her.
"Go say hi to Mommy," Zuko ordered gently, giving each child an affectionate swat on the behind.
"Mommy, Mommy," they both shrieked as they ran across the room and wrapped their arms around Mai's legs.
"Hey there," Mai said. She knelt down and looked into two sets of golden eyes. "I missed you two."
She gave the twins her own hug.
"Did you have fun with Grandma and Midori?" she continued.
Miyako nodded vigorously and Ryuhito smiled toothily.
"Fun," Miyako repeated.
"Well, that's good," Mai replied. "I hear you played outside today."
"We play dirt," Ryuhito explained.
"But you're both all clean. Did Grandma give you both a bath?"
"Mmmhmm," Miyako said. "Bath."
"I'll bet you two are hungry," Zuko said from the other side of the room. "Let's go to the kitchen and get dinner for you."
Mai took Ryuhito by the hand while Zuko picked Miyako up and swung her over his shoulder. The little girl's face turned red and she giggled until her breath was gone. Suddenly, the Fire Lord swung her back down, putting her feet firmly on the ground. Miyako grabbed Zuko's hand and tried to drag him along to the kitchen.
"Slow down," Zuko chided.
In the kitchen, the twins sat on chairs, their heads barely reaching above the table.
"Here," Mai said as she adjusted each child, pulling them up to their knees so that they could reach better.
"Hmmm," Zuko mused. "Let's see what's around."
The cook entered, wiping her hands on a fresh apron.
"My Lord," she said and bowed. "You'll want dinner tonight?"
"Yes, Rezu," Zuko nodded. "My mother will be joining us. First we need to feed the twins, though."
"Ah," she replied with a twinkle in her eye. "Rezu knows what they like, right my dears."
Both toddlers nodded and waited expectantly for food to appear. Rezu found her rice (both kids were fascinated by the tiny white grains) and added small pieces of chicken and cooked vegetables to the bowl. She topped it all off with a mildly spicy sauce and placed the food on the table with a set of chopsticks for each child. They used them awkwardly but still managed to get much of the food into their mouths. Frowning at the remaining food in her bowl, Miyako scooped it up with her fingers and pushed it into her mouth.
"You can use a spoon for the rest," Mai suggested and got one for each child.
Mai poured them each a glass of water which they gulped down thirstily.
"Play now, Mommy?" Miyako asked.
"For a little while but then it's bed time. Come, we'll go back to the nursery and you can play with your toys."
Zuko and Mai spent an hour playing with their children before getting them cleaned up and ready for bed. Ryuhito pointed to their favorite book and Zuko read the short story about dragons. Miyako's eyes were wide with wonder as she listened and she reached for her brother's hand. Once the story was finished, Ryuhito slipped under the covers of his own bed, Mai tucking him in and giving him a kiss. Zuko tucked Miyako in. He gave her a quick tickle which sent her into fits of giggles and then kissed her goodnight. The couple then switched places, performing the same routine again.
The sun was setting and the room slowly darkened. The parents left quietly, calling out goodnight as they shut the door.
"G'night," the twins called.
Mai and Zuko performed their bedtime routine and then slid gratefully into their own luxurious bed. Kicking the silk sheets down with her feet, Mai reached for a book, but placed it on her lap instead of opening it.
"Feels good, doesn't it?" Zuko asked, looking over at his wife.
"Yes," she replied succinctly.
"Will you talk to the physician tomorrow?"
"Yes, Zuko," Mai said with a roll of her eyes.
Zuko shifted, moving over onto his side, head resting on his hand, and removed the book form Mai's lap. He placed his hand there instead, soothingly warm, and massaged rhythmically. A grin split his handsome features.
"You are undeniably sentimental," Mai observed shaking her head but smiling nevertheless.
"You bring it out in me," Zuko retorted, "and the kids too."
"So much for reading," Mai sighed as she placed her book back on the bedside table.
"We could do something else," the Fire Lord suggested hopefully.
"We could," Mai smirked. "Let me think about it."
Zuko didn't wait for an answer. He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Mai's lips, then moved down to her neck. She responded immediately, pushing Zuko over on to his back and straddling him, a mischievous smile on her face.
"You look so helpless," she teased. "I wonder if I should get a few of my knives, pin you down and have my way with you."
Finding it impossible to speak, Zuko pulled Mai closer, ravaging her lips and mouth until he had to pull away, gulping for air.
"You can do anything you want," he gasped.
Mai's eyes sparkled.
Miyako and Ryuhito sat on the grass beside Ursa's garden, small wooden shovels in hand, and dug. They made one hole, then filled it up, made a second hole and so on, endlessly fascinated by the process. When a worm or bug was discovered, squeals of delight pierced the morning quiet.
"You're sure it's okay?" Mai asked her mother-in-law.
"This part of the garden is theirs to play in. They know not to go any further, though."
Mai thought of her own mother, Akira, and how mortified she would have been to discover Mai digging in the dirt. She had visited while Mai and Zuko were away, having tea with Ursa and spending time with her grandchildren. She and Zuko's mother were very slowly building a friendship.
Mai's own relationship with her parents was volatile. It never used to be but now Mai spoke her mind with great delight, letting Hoshi and Akira know exactly how she felt about everything they did or said in regards to her, Zuko, Ursa or the children. It was as though she was making up for lost time, making up for all the years when she said nothing, just shrugged and hid her emotions away.
"Zuko is very excited about the baby," Ursa stated with a smile.
"Hmmm, what's that?"
"I said that Zuko's very excited about the baby."
"He is," Mai agreed. "Then again, he's not the one who's sick."
"Is it bad?" Ursa asked. "There are some herbal teas that help. I'll go shopping and get some for you."
"Thanks, Ursa. I feel great one minute and like I could throw up everything the next. And I'm so tired most of the time."
"That will probably all pass in the next month or so."
"Probably," Mai groaned. "It was so easy with the twins. I never felt sick."
"Pregnancies are all different. I had a terrible time with Zuko and a no problems at all with Azula. How far along do you think you are?"
"Not far, probably about five or six weeks. It will be another spring baby, but earlier."
"You need to see the physician soon, Mai. He'll know for certain and make sure that you're healthy."
"Trust me. I know that I'm pregnant. But I've already alerted the physician. He's seeing me in a few days."
"Good!" Ursa exclaimed.
Crying erupted from the garden. Ryuhito was pulling on Miyako's shovel with all his strength and the little girl was pulling back, unwilling to give up her possession. Mai watched for a moment before deciding on a course of action. Getting up, she walked over to the pair and gently pried Ryuhito's hands off Miyako's shovel.
"Ryuhito," she said sternly, "you have your own shovel. This one is Miyako's. They are exactly the same."
Mai stood nearby and supervised the play closely until she was satisfied that Ryuhito understood the lesson, at least for now. She sat back down on the bench while Ursa walked among her flowers. Miyako joined her grandmother, reaching up for the woman's hand. Ursa took it gladly, smiling down at the pretty little face, framed with two pieces of straight, smooth black hair, the rest pulled into a loose topknot.
"She looks so much like you, Mai, that it's uncanny," Ursa observed.
"She does, but I see a bit of Zuko in there too," Mai joked.
"Ryuhito's more of a mix of the two of you," Ursa continued.
"Yes, you're right. I'm going to take them inside now. It's almost lunchtime and they're filthy. Midori's watching them this afternoon. I'll be working with Zuko for a few hours."
"Fine, dear. I'm going to stay out here for a little while longer. Goodbye, my sweetheart," she said as she gave Miyako a hug.
She gave Ryuhito's head a rub as the skinny little boy toddled by with Mai. Ursa watched as the three walked away and silently thanked Agni for her recent good fortune.
"How was the meeting?" Mai asked Zuko.
They had thrown some cushions down on the floor of his office and were eating a quick lunch before starting paperwork.
"Almost everyone whined about having to help out the towns we visited. Your father was the worst."
"Oh," Mai replied and then sipped at her chamomile tea.
"How was your morning?" Zuko asked.
He tapped his chopsticks against the side of the bowl as he waited for Mai's reply.
"It was good. I didn't get sick and the twins had fun outside in the dirt again. Oh, and I love your mother."
"Huh? Where did that come from?"
Zuko looked bemused, not at the fact that someone loved Ursa, but at the fact that Mai declared her love so matter-of-factly.
"Come on, you know that I care for her. She's so kind to me and I find myself wishing that my mother were like her instead of, well, instead of the way she is. And then I feel bad."
"I'm really glad that you two get along. It makes me happy. Oh, and before I forget, your brother's coming over later….after school, I guess."
"Okay," Mai replied. "Now, let's get at these scrolls. I'm dying from anticipation."
Midori had gone home for the evening and Zuko was still hard at work in his office. For her part, Mai lay stretched out on the couch in the nursery, a cup of special tea for her morning sickness (which occurred at any and all times of the day for Mai) on the table and her hand over her mouth. She willed herself not to throw up, chanting nonsense in an attempt at distraction.
"Play, Mommy," Miyako demanded as she walked over to the couch with a determined look on her face.
"Later, Miya," Mai replied as she rubbed her stomach.
The toddler stormed off in a huff, throwing a puzzle piece across the room in frustration. Ryuhito cried and stumbled off in search of the missing piece. Mai forced herself to sit up and was hit by a massive wave of nausea.
"Agni," she whispered as she prepared to make a dash to the bathroom.
Tom-Tom, or Tomiko as the soon to be nine year old now liked to go by, entered the room. As soon as Mai saw him, she bolted for the adjoining bath and was promptly sick.
"Mai, what's wrong?" Tomiko yelled after her.
"Sick, baby," she muttered.
"What?" the boy asked.
"I'm sick because of the baby," Mai shouted with exasperation and then put her head over the basin again.
"Baby….." Tomiko repeated with a perplexed look on his face.
He scrunched up gold eyes and scratched his head.
"Baby!" Miyako screamed. "Tom!"
"Hey, Miyako, Ryuhito, let's play until Mai comes back out."
He took each toddler by the hand and led them over to the large carpet which was littered with toys. Ryuhito handed Tomiko a puzzle piece.
"Eww, it's all wet," the boy grimaced.
He dropped it quickly and wiped his hand off on his tunic.
"How about we play with the ball," Tomiko suggested.
He rolled the leather ball towards Miyako who pushed it back awkwardly. It moved between the three until Mai emerged from the bathroom looking even paler than normal.
"Thanks, Tom," she sighed.
"Are you having another baby?" he asked with excitement.
Mai nodded. She filled her lungs with a big gulp of air and then blew it out noisily between pursed lips. The process made her feel better.
"Wow, when?"
"In the spring, a little before they turn three."
"Do Mom and Dad know?"
"We just got back yesterday. I haven't seen them," she replied irritably. "And don't you say anything. I'll tell them."
"Geez, you're in a bad mood."
"No, I'm not. I just don't feel that great right now. Hey, stay for dinner," she suggested as a peace offering.
"I have to tell Mom or she'll worry."
"Well, run home and tell her or I'll have a note sent."
"I'll do it," Tomiko said. "Be back in a few minutes."
He ran headlong into Zuko as he sprinted down the corridor.
"Sorry!" he exclaimed as he continued on his way.
"What's with Tom-Tom, I mean Tomiko?" Zuko asked Mai as he entered the nursery.
The twins ran over to him immediately, tugging on his voluminous Fire Lord robes in an effort to move him over to the play area.
"Hang on there," he chastised gently. "I need to talk with Mommy."
Zuko perched on the couch beside Mai and reached for her hand.
"You look, um, well, you look, not well."
"Wow, how astute of you," Mai retorted bitingly, immediately regretting her words.
Zuko ignored them, choosing to heat her tea for her instead, handing her the cup and kissing her cheek.
"Sorry," Mai whispered. "I feel awful."
"It's okay," Zuko insisted, kissing her on the lips this time. "So, Tomiko, where was he off to?"
"He's just going home to tell my mother about staying here for dinner. I've actually missed him."
"Me too," Zuko agreed. "So," he said turning his attention to their children. "How about Daddy changes and then we can play?"
Author's Note: Well, there's chapter 3 for you. Hope you enjoyed it. I believe there will be a time jump next time around. I have big plans for Toph coming up and Azula, Mai's 'fabulous' uncle, Akira and Hoshi, Iroh and Lan will all make appearances eventually. Something may be happening for Ursa too.
Other characters will probably only get mentions and not make actual appearances.
Thanks for reading and reviewing,
Alabaster
