Two No More
Chapter 10: Friends Bearing Gifts
"Sokka," Zuko grinned.
The Watertribe man, dressed in simple blue leggings topped with a blue and white tunic, pushed his way through the gate, dragging a green clad Suki behind him. Ty Lee cart wheeled and flipped her way by the couple. She landed beside Zuko and Mai, brown braid swinging, and proceeded to shriek.
The former circus performer and now Kyoshi warrior crossed her hands over her chest and sighed. "Oh, oh, Mai, Zuko, they are so adorable. Please let me hold them."
Suki pulled her hand out of Sokka's grasp and joined Ty Lee. She looked dreamily at the babies and began to make soft clucking noises with her tongue.
"They're so beautiful," the redhead declared.
"C'mon, they're just babies, Suki," Sokka said.
He shook his head and muttered under his breath about women going crazy for anyone under the age of five.
"What's the matter, Sokka?" Mai asked calmly, eyebrows arched. "Are you afraid that Suki will want to have one soon?"
"Good one, Mai," Toph called from a distance.
"What? Hey, we're not married yet," he sputtered. His cheeks blazed with colour. "And where did you come from, Toph?"
The women laughed and Zuko just shrugged.
"So much for male solidarity," Sokka whined petulantly.
"This is our son, Ryuhito," Mai explained proudly as she handed him over to Suki. "And this is our daughter, Miyako."
The knife thrower passed the tiny bundle over to Ty Lee, whose expressive grey eyes shone with delight.
"Wow, she has so much hair and she looks like Zuko, I think," the acrobat observed.
Her face was scrunched up in concentration. Suki, meanwhile, showed Ryuhito to Sokka who admitted that the baby was indeed cute.
"Here, you hold him, Sokka," Suki said with a smirk and a quick glance over at Mai.
Sokka looked flustered but took the boy and held him a few inches from his chest.
"You have to cradle him, Sokka, not hold him away from you like a pair of your smelly socks," Suki chastised with a roll of her blue eyes.
Obligingly, the warrior brought the baby close and looked down into the golden eyes.
"So, hello there, baby. You are kind of cute."
He tickled the baby's cheek with his tan index finger. Ryuhito cooed happily in response and Sokka beamed.
"Hey, he likes me," the young man bragged. "I'm your Uncle Sokka," he crooned sweetly. "You're going to love me, aren't you?"
"There's nothing more adorable than a man holding a baby," Suki whispered to Mai.
"True," Mai agreed.
"Umm, he's acting all strange now like he wants to attack my chest," Sokka interrupted.
"He's hungry," Mai replied. "We'd better get them inside so I can feed them."
"Sokka, why don't you come with me," Zuko suggested. "We can get some breakfast."
"Did you mention food?" Sokka asked brightly as he handed Ryuhito to Mai and began to lick his lips.
"Yes, Sokka, food; the girls can take care of the twins."
"Of course, that's their job, after all."
Suki's hand made contact with Sokka's skull and he yelped in surprise and mock pain.
"Of course, there's nothing wrong with us manly men helping out sometimes," he amended the remark.
"Let's leave before we get into trouble," Zuko suggested. "Mai, we'll send some breakfast to the room for all of you."
"Thanks, Zuko," Mai replied.
"Come on, Ty Lee," Suki said as she gave the girl's braid an affectionate tug.
"I'm coming," she positively sang.
They all walked to the palace together and parted ways at the first main hallway.
"Hey, Zuko," Sokka whispered, "who's that woman? She was outside and now she's following Mai and the babies. Do you think she's an assassin or something?"
"That's one of our new bodyguards, Sokka."
The Water Tribesman slapped his palm hard against his forehead. "Of course," he stated.
"What was it like…giving birth, I mean?" Ty Lee asked with wide eyes.
"Painful," Mai replied succinctly.
"Was it really terrible?" Suki continued.
"It was bad, but Zuko and Toph," Mai glanced at the blind earthbender, "helped a lot. And you really do forget the pain once the baby is born…babies in my case."
"She was a real trouper," Toph declared. "She only swore a couple of times."
The group of young women laughed heartily. They sat together on the sofa and ate fruit and sweet rolls while sipping green tea. Both babies slept contentedly in their bassinets, bellies full and bottoms dry.
"Hey, Suki, why don't you tell Mai and Toph your news?" Ty Lee pushed.
Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Tell me what's going on with you," Mai prodded.
"Ooooooh, tell her Suki," Ty Lee said a she edged forward and peeked around Mai to catch the redhead's eye.
"Must be something good," Toph observed. "Twitchy is all excited."
"Twitchy?" Ty Lee asked, looking hurt. "That's your nickname for me?"
"Well, it just came out," Toph explained with a shrug of her strong shoulders.
Mai looked at Suki, both perfect eyebrows raised in expectation.
"Fine," she sighed. "It looks like I'm outnumbered anyway. But Sokka won't be too happy. Ty Lee only knows because she overheard. I got tired of waiting for Sokka to propose, so I did."
Mai and Toph both began to laugh, the Fire Lady covering her mouth with one well manicured hand in an attempt to silence her own. Toph showed no such consideration. She let out a series of loud guffaws that filled the room.
"I'll bet Snoozles loved that," she shouted, slapping her knees vigorously with her hands.
"He was shocked and then he was angry. You know him." Suki assumed a different posture and deepened her voice. "'Proposing is the guy's job, sweetheart'; 'It's not manly for me to accept a proposal from my girlfriend'. So I told him that it was either say yes, or say goodbye. I mean, if I had to wait for Sokka, I would be an old lady on my wedding day."
Suki smiled and shook her head at the memory. Her large eyes shone with love for the Water Tribesman.
"Congratulations, Suki," Mai said warmly. "When is the wedding? We'll all finally have another reason to get together again."
"We're aiming for the end of summer on Kyoshi Island. We're going to combine Water Tribe and Kyoshi traditions."
Suki reached for her tea and took a long sip. "There might be another wedding soon," she said quietly
"You don't mean?" Toph asked.
"I wonder what the women are talking about," Sokka mused as he stuffed the third helping of breakfast into his mouth.
Zuko looked on in amazement. He had finished a while ago and now nursed a cup of tea.
"How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Sokka asked. His mouth was full and tiny particles of food flew towards the Fire Lord in a fine mist.
"Ugh," Zuko cried out with disgust. He swatted the air in front of his face in a vain attempt to stop the influx of crumbs. "How do you eat so much?"
"I'm still growing," Sokka explained casually. "Look at me."
Zuko's eyes travelled skeptically over the younger man. Sure enough, Sokka had filled out quite a bit over the last few years. He was taller and his shoulders had broadened. Though he would always be lean, a solid layer of well developed muscle now covered his body.
"Okay, so you're not that scrawny, gangly kid anymore. But still…"
"Food is good. I eat food. End of story. Now, back to the women...what do you think they're talking about?"
"I don't know....babies and stuff."
"I hope Suki knows how to keep a secret," Sokka muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing," Sokka replied, his face slightly reddened. "Oh, hey, my dad met a lady friend." Sokka's voice was smooth as a firelily's petal.
"That's great," Zuko replied with genuine enthusiasm. " Iroh' got one too. So who is she?"
"She's from the Northern Water Tribe. Dad's been there quite a bit over the last few years."
"I know. He's been a great help to me on more than one occasion." Zuko paused briefly and then added with a smile, "I like your dad."
"Me too; anyway, her name is Nauja* and she lost her husband during the Fire Nation's invasion. I've only met her a few times but I really like her and my dad is really happy when he's around her."
"Okay, that's all good. How does Katara feel?"
"Well, she's really upset with our dad. Katara thinks he's forgetting our mom or trying to replace her or something like that."
"But your dad's been alone for a lot of years. He's got every right to find happiness where he can."
"You should know that Katara's not rational when it comes to our mother."
Flashes of a dark and deadly Katara bent on avenging her mother's death, rain stopped with powerful bending and daggers made of ice hovering in the air over Kya's killer sped through Zuko's mind. He shivered and goose bumps appeared on his forearms.
"I remember," he said in a tone that belied the tumultuous emotions he felt. "So what does your dad think?"
"He understands Katara's feelings but needs her to get over them and accept Nauja. He's going to marry her with or without Katara's approval, though. Aang's working on her too but it looks as though it will take a long time."
"So Katara's upset that her dad has finally found someone else," Mai stated flatly. "She really loved her mother, didn't she?"
"She did and still does," Suki agreed vehemently.
"I hope everything works out," Ty Lee remarked. Her lower lip was pushed outward in a thoughtful pout.
"I think it will eventually," Suki answered softly. "I hate seeing Katara upset, though. And Sokka's caught in the middle. I feel bad for their father too. He really adores this woman and just wants some peace and happiness. He deserves it."
The head Kyoshi warrior clenched her fists in frustration.
"Sugar Queen needs to stop thinking about herself," Toph added thoughtfully after a few seconds of silence. "I mean, we all have to grab happiness while we can, right?"
"Yes, that's what I'm trying to do with Sokka," Suki agreed. "Katara will come around eventually."
The young women all leaned comfortably back into the large sofa. Mai looked at her three friends and smiled. A few years ago, a situation like this would be completely foreign to her. She was very glad to have such good people in her life.
"Oh," she exclaimed as she suddenly sat up straight. "I saw my parents yesterday."
"That's amazing, Mai," Ty Lee exclaimed. She jumped off the couch and back flipped over to the bassinets. "Did they see the twins too?"
Yes," Mai laughed. "It was awkward, though and I wasn't too friendly. I'm still angry at them, I suppose. But maybe it's time to let it go."
"So how did it happen?" Suki asked.
"My mom sent a note over with Tom-Tom when she heard I was in labor. Lan, that's Iroh's friend, talked with me about it after I had the babies. She figured that my mother might be sincere. So, I decided to give her a chance. I would be a hypocrite if I didn't. You," she pointed to Toph and Suki, "all gave me a chance after having been your enemy. "
"Hey, Mai, I think they're waking up," Ty Lee called.
Mai rose from her seat and sauntered over to the bassinets. She looked inside each one, taking note of kicking legs and opening eyes.
"Yes, they're waking up," she noted dryly.
She gently rubbed each belly.
"I won't feed them until they start crying," she added. "They seem happy enough now."
"Hey, Toph, how about we go find Sokka and Zuko," Suki suggested. "I think Ty Lee and Mai should have some time alone together."
"Okaay, you don't have to tell me twice," the earthbender agreed. "Do you mind if Suki and I leave?" she asked, turning her head toward where she sensed Mai was.
"Go ahead. Ty Lee and I have lots to talk about."
"Yeah, we can reminisce," the acrobat stated excitedly.
Suki and Toph left with promises to return later.
"You don't really want to talk about the old days, do you Ty?" Mai asked.
It was obvious from the Fire Lady's tone that she did not.
"Not, if you don't want to," Ty Lee replied, eager to make Mai happy.
"Good. I would rather talk about the present than the past. How are things on Kyoshi?"
Ty Lee hesitated for just a second before replying, "Everything is fine."
"Really? "
"Really, Mai; it's just that I miss home sometimes. I miss the Fire Nation. Everybody on Kyoshi Island is sweet and I have friends, but it's still not home."
"Hmm, so what are you going to do?"
Miyako began to fuss and cry. Mai picked her up and went back to the red and gold sofa to feed her.
"Can I hold Ryuhito?" Ty Lee asked hopefully.
"Sure, now tell me what you're going to do."
Mai undid the sash of her robe, opened her bindings and proceeded to feed the infant girl. Ty Lee looked on in wonderment as she sat down beside her long time friend, baby boy in her grasp.
"I'm not sure," she answered. "I guess I'll stay there for awhile longer."
"If you come back, you can stay here until you figure things out."
"Thanks, Mai. That's good to know."
Ty Lee stopped talking and seemed to drift off into deep thought. Mai watched her friend closely out of the corner of her eye. Seriousness was not unheard of, but unusual for Ty Lee.
"I wonder if I'll ever have a baby?" the acrobat mused. "Seeing you with two is strange but really wonderful."
"Strange?" Mai asked.
"Well, I don't mean that it's strange that you and Zuko have children. I mean that sometimes I still think of us like we were years ago, playing in the palace with Azula and here we are, all grown up. You're married to Zuko, the Fire Lord and I'm a Kyoshi Warrior living away from home and Azula, Azula is…"
Ty Lee took a deep breath and blinked back bitter tears. Mai was at a loss. She looked down at Miyako, and bit into her lower lip.
"Ty, I'm not good at this sort of thing…I don't know what to say."
The acrobat snuffled and rubbed Ryohito's head.
"You're better than you used to be, Mai. I know you hate Azula, but I don't. Even after all she did, I don't hate her."
"You're wrong, Ty Lee. I don't hate her. Zuko doesn't hate her. We just…" Mai struggled to find the right words. "We're hurt and it's hard to forgive what she did. And if we did, she wouldn't understand anyway. Nothing has changed with her."
"You don't know what she understands. Nobody does. Maybe forgiveness would help her. Maybe she would enjoy seeing your children."
"NO!" Mai snarled. "I will not expose my children to her. How can you suggest that, Ty?"
Tears fell openly now, spilling out of wide grey eyes and down full cheeks, onto pink silk.
"I'm sorry, Mai," she hiccoughed. "I just wish that she would get better."
"That's fine but what would happen to her after? Would we let her roam around as if nothing had ever happened?"
"I don't know," Ty Lee whispered.
Mai stood up and placed Miyako in her bassinet. She put a hand on her friend's shoulder briefly and then reached for Ryuhito.
"Go see her again, Ty. Maybe that will help you."
"Maybe. I shouldn't have mentioned her at all. Do you forgive me?"
"There's nothing for me to forgive. Can we change the subject now? How about I teach you how to change a diaper? It doesn't get more exciting than that."
Mai offered Ty Lee a small smile and the young woman returned it.
"Now that we're all unpacked, we've got presents for you," Suki explained as she handed over a few wrapped boxes.
"I have one too," Ty Lee added excitedly. "I hope you guys will love it."
The group all sat around the huge dining table at the heart of the palace's second largest dining room. Even the cradles were on the table. Ty Lee wanted to see as much of the twins as she could before it was time to leave again. Bowls and chopsticks were scattered across the red linen tablecloth and a tea set sat in the middle of the chaos. Mai poured everyone a cup and then settled back in the well cushioned, high backed chair.
"Hmm, this should prove interesting," she noted with her usual dry humor as Suki handed Zuko one of the gifts.
"Look, Mai," he said, trying hard to hide a smirk, "it's a tiny boomerang for Ryuhito."
"Hey, it's not just any boomerang," Sokka corrected.
The Water Tribe warrior pushed back his chair and moved to stand beside Zuko. Taking the tiny weapon from the Fire Lord, he assumed a lecture-like tone and began to speak.
"This wooden boomerang is the perfect size for a little boy. And it was made specifically for your son by me. I had to redo it several times, but take my word for it, this beauty works. The designs were painted by an artist on Kyoshi Island. Note the red and gold in the pattern. When that little cutie is old enough, Uncle Sokka will teach him how to throw a boomerang like the best Water Tribe Warriors."
Everyone was staring intently at Sokka. The babies were silent as if entranced with Sokka's voice. With a bow and a flourish he sat down again and everyone burst out laughing.
"It's great Sokka, really," Zuko emphasized. "We appreciate the time and effort it took you."
"Yes," Mai agreed. "Thanks, Sokka."
"Hmmmph," he snorted.
"Here, Mai, you open this one."
Suki handed the knife thrower a package across the table. Mai pulled back the paper carefully and then opened a solid wooden box. Inside was a miniature version of the Kyoshi Warrior's yellow fan. It opened and closed just like the real ones did.
"Are you going to teach Miyako had to use one?" Mai asked with a smile.
"It would be my honor," Suki replied.
"Thank you. We're going to have a pair of little fighters, it seems."
"Yeah," Sokka piped up. "You can teach them how to throw all those scary pointy things you carry around."
"You mean like this?" Mai asked with a sly grin as she effortlessly pulled one from her sleeve.
"Yeah, like that one," Sokka agreed.
"And Zuko and I can teach them how to use a sword and if they're firebenders…well that's Zuko's department."
"We've got some toys for them too," Suki pointed out. "Here, Mai."
Mai opened another package, this one filled with toys for babies and toddlers.
"They're great, Suki and Sokka. Thank you."
"Will you open mine now?" Ty Lee interjected.
Inside the wrapping were two beautifully illustrated children's story books. One of those stories had been Mai's favorite as a very young girl.
"You remembered," Mai asked in a surprised tone.
The sweetness of the gift moved Mai. She put her hand on Ty Lee's and squeezed.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Zuko picked up the books and thumbed through them.
"These are great, Ty Lee. The kids will love them."
The acrobat clasped her hands together and exclaimed, "I'm so happy that you like my gift."
The group of friends spent another hour or so talking before retiring for the evening. Ty Lee walked with Zuko and Mai, carrying Miyako while Zuko held Ryuhito. She handed the tiny girl over reluctantly once they reached Mai's and Zuko's enormous room.
"Here she is," the pink clad girl said in a sing song voice.
"Goodnight, Ty. We'll see you tomorrow," Mai said warmly.
The couple disappeared behind the heavy double doors. Ty Lee sighed and continued on down the long hallway.
"I don't like her," Mai stated firmly. Her fingers twitched as she very seriously thought about pulling out one of her many blades and pinning the smug, know it all potential part-time nanny to the wall.
"I agree," Zuko whispered back.
The couple stood beside the pair of bassinets in the nursery, while the nanny candidate sat on a chair that had been brought in for the occasion. The young woman, she was maybe three years older than Mai, sensed their mood and sneered.
"I see that you've already made up your minds about me. You'll no doubt regret your decision. Everyone I've worked for has been very satisfied."
"You do realize who you're speaking to, don't you?" Mai asked in a tone that was quiet but deadly.
The woman's face turned slowly pink, whether from anger or embarrassment, Mai wasn't certain.
"I suggest you find one of your previous employers and ask him for a job. You may leave now," Mai finished coolly.
The woman got up from the chair haltingly and almost stumbled on her way out. Her confidence had fled under Mai's icy gaze.
"We're not going to like anyone, are we?" Zuko asked tiredly.
"There has to be someone good out there. We've got two more people to talk to."
Mai opened the nursery door and beckoned to the next prospective nanny. She was a pretty woman in her mid thirties, with light brown hair and smiling brown eyes. Just inside the nursery's entrance she bowed respectfully to the Fire Lord and his wife.
"Have a seat," Zuko said as he gestured at the hard wooden chair.
"Thank you, my Lord," she replied deferentially.
She sat down, posture impeccable, and looked at the couple expectantly.
"What's your name?" Mai inquired.
"My name is Midori."
Her voice was clear and strong but there was no hint of arrogance.
"Tell us about your experience with children, especially babies," Zuko continued.
"I have two of my own children. They're almost grown up now and don't need me at home so much. So I've changed lots of diapers and spent many hours rocking and soothing crying infants. I miss having young children around the house. That's why I decided to get a job as a nanny."
"Why don't you come over here and meet our children," Mai invited.
The knife thrower tried to keep the excitement out of her voice but she did reach for Zuko's hand and gave his fingers a quick squeeze. He pressed her fingers back as if to say, 'I like this woman too.'
Midori stood in front of the bassinets, beside the royal couple, and looked down at the two bright little faces. Her own face instantly lit up and she reached down to Miyako first.
"That's our daughter, Miyako," Zuko explained. "And this is our son, Ryuhito."
"They are just gorgeous," Midori exclaimed.
Miyako's tiny hand grasped the woman's finger tightly. Midori talked sweetly to her in response.
"May I hold her," she asked eagerly.
"Yes," Mai permitted.
Carefully, the woman picked up the dark haired baby and held her close, whispering softly into her ear. The baby was happy, evidently picking up on the positive vibes Midori exuded.
"Well," Mai noted with understatement, "she certainly likes you. Why don't you try Ryuhito?"
The rest of the interview with Midori went extremely well. As the woman got up to leave, Mai reiterated the terms of her employment.
"You realize that I'll probably only need you for an hour or so in the morning and an hour or so in the afternoon. If we have an evening engagement, we would appreciate your services then as well. If you live close by, you're free to go back home in between. Or you can stay here, if that suits you better. As they get older, we may need you for longer periods."
"I understand. That works out well with my family."
"Good," Zuko stated. "You left an address where we can contact you?"
"I did, my Lord."
"We'll let you know by tomorrow," Mai informed the woman.
"Thank you, my Lady," Midori said graciously.
She bowed once again and walked out the door. One lonely old woman sat on a bench out in the hall. Mai and Zuko gave her a quick interview but their minds were already made up.
"I'll write a note to Midori," Mai stated with a smile. "You stay with the babies."
Zuko gave Mai a quick kiss and then took his place in the rocking chair.
*an Inuit name that means seagull
Author's Note: Thank you so much for the great reviews I got for Chapter Nine. Don't be afraid to review again.
Next chapter will continue with the new nanny and have more of the gaang (minus Aang and Katara).