A/N: Here is Chapter 8!
Disclaimer: I do not own Nickelodeon or A:TLA. Just Alea :) YAY
We arrived at Zuko's family vacation home the next day, around noon. I found the Master bedroom was my favorite, as the bed was soft on my sore back. Toph, Sokka and Aang were in charge of cleaning out the cobwebs and dust from each room, and Suki and I went behind pick up laundry. If Zuko and I were to come here for vacations, I wanted it spotless while we lived here now.
"Aang, I need your waterbending and airbending." I said sweetly.
"Dry the clothes?" He said smiling.
"Please?" I asked, handing him an extra rice cake. His smile widened as I handed it to him.
"You also need to do your homework after." I said handing him a list from Zuko.
"Yes Mom!" He said, sarcastically taking the note and doing the job I asked of him.
"I'm beginning to wonder what I got myself into." I laughed, patting my tummy gently.
I cleaned out our room quite well, as well as the kitchen so I could cook better meals. I sent Sokka and Toph out for food from the market as well as fresh meat. There were spices that seemed to have lasted in their glass containers, but rodents ransacked the rice and flour.
"Could you make Egg Custard Tarts?" Aang asked with big puppy dog eyes, Momo copying him.
"Yes I can." I said, laughing at his holler in joy. After a full two days of baking and preparing meat, I was bushed. Suki gave my feet a good massage and I fell asleep very easily that night.
I awoke before dawn, to Zuko snuggling me closer in his sleep. He must have come in after I passed out. I didn't want to wake him, so I crept out of bed and got ready for the day silently.
"I've always loved your hair when it's loose," I heard Zuko say. I turned to face him, blushing as he watched me change into a flowing red dress, that I had found in the closet.
"Well, I figure today will be low key." I said, reaching down to slip on my flats.
"Tonight, we are going to retire early." He said, getting out of bed and approaching me slowly. His moves were calculated and lithe, like he was stalking his prey.
"We will?" I said, my heart racing.
"And I'm going to make love to my wife, the mother of my children, after a long month and a half," He said, effectively trapping me against a wall.
"Mmm," I said as he placed open mouth kisses on my neck.
"I need to go start breakfast." I whispered.
"They can wait another hour." He growled, lifting me up and placing me back in bed.
"Zuko, I just got dressed, and you need to train Aang." I said quietly as I laughed.
"Ugh, I don't get a break." He growled playfully.
"Go wake up," I said, winking as I slipped out the door.
"I had a better idea," he called back softly. I chuckled to myself as I set off for the kitchen.
The play did include me, much to my chagrin. The actress was slim, obviously wearing a wig, and very flexible. She was always wearing something similar to my outfit, which was my red pants and crop top halter. It was interesting to see how they didn't know of mine and Zuko's marriage or the babies. I knew they wouldn't but I was surprised Zuko hadn't told anyone back home. He knew that his father would be angry and didn't want to upset him after just returning home.
"I was never ashamed of you. I wanted to protect you." He said, with tears in his eyes.
"I know. Thank you," I said, snuggling into him. We went to bed before the others, carefully locking the door behind us. Zuko knew we wouldn't be heard, as most of the others were sleeping on the other side of the house. I was still quiet as we shared our first night together in over a month.
"Can you believe we made these two little miracles?" I asked him in the afterglow of our lovemaking.
"Yes, because even despite the war, we created two lives out of love. Even with me not knowing which path to take, you chose to follow me, and love me." He said, tucking a stray hair behind my ear, like he always did in our tender moments.
"Do you think we could talk about names?" I asked, excited.
"You said you loved the name Izumi." He said, smiling.
"Do you like it?" I asked, staring him down.
"Yes, I love it." He said, placing a hand on my belly.
"That's if we have a girl. I love the names Iroh and Lu Ten for boys." I said closing my eyes. I didn't hear a response, but opened my eyes. Zuko had shed a tear before saying, "I agree. I would love to honor my Uncle and cousin like that."
"But what if we have two girls?" I asked, suddenly worried.
"Hope." He said quietly, "And if we only have one girl, Izumi Hope."
"Part of your world, and part of mine." I said, placing my hand over his, on my belly.
"They are a balance of both our worlds." He said softly.
"I love you my Prince." I said, resting my forehead against his.
"And I love you my Lady." He said softly, as we both drifted off to sleep.
"Has anyone seen my other slipper?" I yelled the next morning as I searched the house.
"Momo has it!" Sokka yelled from the front porch.
"Momo," I yelled gently. He brought me the slipper back and ducked his head.
"I forgive you," I said handing him some berries.
"We're headed to the beach!" Toph said, following everyone down. I didn't want to get in the way so I stayed in the house to fix lunch. Predicting the exact moment, Aang and Zuko came crashing through the house, leaving scorch marks on everything I had just cleaned.
"You're both cleaning that up!" I yelled, not looking up form my chopping.
"Aang has disappeared and we need to look for him." Zuko said the next day, running into the kitchen.
"I'll stay here in case he comes back and pack. If I know what happens next, we are all going to need our things." I said, giving him a quick kiss as he left with Toph.
"Suki, help Katara. And Sokka take Appa, you'll cover more ground that way." I said, as I started to pack food and a bracelet I had inscribed for Iroh. Zuko had taught me how to write in their mother tongue, and I taught him mine. We exchanged letters this way as no one could read them.
"He's no where to be found. The tracks lead into the ocean and nothing!" Sokka told me as they returned. I was busy getting the house ready to sit for a while, and packing.
"Get some of your things. Anything you'll need for the fight we are about to face." I said, handing the bag of food to my husband.
"I know where to look." He said, as we all climbed on Appa.
"Why are we headed toward the Earth Kingdom?" Sokka said.
"Just trust me." Zuko said, effectively ending the conversation.
A/N: Only three chapters to go! Review for little ole me?
