Zuko's POV:
I am sitting calmly beside Sokka as I sip my tea. We both watch Aang pace nervously around the room. Katara and Suki are in the delivery room with Toph and some Air Acolytes. Katara is the one delivering Toph and Aangs baby. Toph insisted that Katara be the one to do it as she trusts her strongly. I take a small sip of the herbal tea and school my expression. It is not that it is terrible but I sorely miss the spicy tea Katara prepares for me. Aang continues to pace and I sigh and set my cup down.
"Aang. You must calm down. Toph will be fine and so will your daughter." It's a little amusing to see the even-tempered bender be so out of sorts. I wonder if I will also be a nervous wreck when Katara goes into labor. I imagine not. Sokka stands up and slings his arm around Aang's shoulders.
"Come on Aang, Zuko is right. Katara wouldn't let anything happen to them." At the mention of my wife Aang visibly relaxes. He nods his head and clasps Sokka's arm.
"You're right. Katara will take care of them." The avatar smiles at us and moves to sit down. Just as we sit Suki flings the doors open and smiles brightly at us.
"She's here." Suki beams excitedly and we quickly follow her into the delivery room. Toph is propped up on a sea of pillows and cradles a pink wrapped bundle in her arms. I look over at Katara and see her hands glowing faintly, her eyes closed. I move to her side. A moment later she drops her hands and opens her eyes. She smiles at Toph and tells her she is done. All that Toph needs now is rest and to stay off her feet for a while. Toph smiles tiredly at Katara and rubs her finger down the sleeping baby's face. I move closer to see her. She is as bald as her father and tiny. She opens her eyes and I see she has deep brown eyes. She stares up at all of us with a fascinating sense of calm.
"She's so beautiful Toph." Katara murmurs so not to alarm the child. Toph snuggles the baby close and places a kiss on her face. Aang gathers Toph into his arms and holds his daughter and wife close.
"What is her name?" Suki asks softly as the baby drifts back to sleep. Toph looks to Aang. Aang gazes down at his tiny daughter.
"Rinza." Toph considers the name for a moment and then smiles sleepily at Aang.
"That sounds like a great name Twinkle toes." I smile at the happy parents, and move back to Katara's side. I curl my hand around the nape of her neck and she gazes up at me. Exhaustion lines her beautiful face and she has purple shadows under her eyes. I frown and brush some stray hairs back from her face. She looks exhausted. I cup her swollen stomach with my other hand. Katara leans into my embrace and I hold her close. I turn to Toph and Aang.
"If you are well enough Toph I think I will take Katara and put her to bed." Already Katara wavers at my side, unsteady on her feet. Concern grips my chest and I hold her closer to me. Toph waves us off and I gently gather Katara into my arms and carry her from the room. Katara snuggles into my arms and sighs sleepily. I carry her into our room and sit her down on a chair. I move to the bathroom and heat water for a bath for her. Once I find it is adequately warmed I undress her. I run my gaze over her naked flesh and groan. Even exhausted and sweaty, my wife is a sight to tempt any man. I place her into the steamy water and she sinks under it. She stops until only the tip of her nose and eyes are visible. My heart clenches with love for Katara. How she ever chose to marry and love someone like me will never stop astounding me. I scoop a basin of water and slowly pour it over her hair. She opens her eyes and looks up at me.
"You have run yourself ragged tending to Toph and the child. Now it will be you that gets pampered." I lather up my hands with shampoo and gently massage her hair. Katara closes her eyes and moans in pleasure. My mouth runs dry and I swallow my tongue. I gently wipe a stray bubble from her cheek and she opens her eyes once more. She gazes up at me with such love shining in her eyes.
"Thank you for taking care of me Zuko." Katara smiles sweetly at me. I cup her cheek and brush a gentle kiss to her parted lips.
"You are my heart Katara." Katara's eyes look misty and she quickly closes them again. I smile slightly and continue the task at hand. I gently run my fingers through Katara's hair and run my finger tips over her skin. I fill the basin once more and rinse her thick hair. Katara smiles at me and lifts her arms out of the tub. I wet my wash cloth and begin washing her thin arms. I trail the cloth over her flesh and muse how such fragile looking arms could hold such power. Katara rinses her arms in the water and then lifts her leg for me to wash. I admire her long, delicate legs and trail my fingers over her silky skin. Katara giggles and pulls her leg away. I smirk and reach out to tickle her foot. Katara squeals and splashes me with water. I snort with amusement and splash her back. Katara bends a flick of water at me and it hits me square in the face. Katara howls with laughter and I join in, my heart heavy with happiness. Katara stands up and I reach out to wrap her in a plush towel.
"Come sit by the fire and I will dry your hair and brush it out for you." Katara smiles at me and I lead her to a bench in front of the fire I made for her. I sit behind her and pull out her favorite bone comb that her gran gran made for her when she was a small child. I slowly pull the teeth through her thick hair and Katara sighs contently.
"You are a sweet man Zuko. Taking care of me as such." Katara likes to sing her praise about me, but honestly I just like taking care of her. I like knowing that I am the one she turns to when she needs something, or if she is in trouble or sick. My wife is a treasure and I plan to spend the rest of my life treating her as such.
"I would do anything for you Katara." Katara turns her head and smiles sleepily at me. I frown and cup her jaw.
"You wore yourself out today. You must take care of yourself and our son." Katara yawns and turns back around. I resume my brushing.
"I know, but Toph needed me. I couldn't just leave her without a midwife." Katara murmurs quietly. I smile slightly at her loyalty.
"Our son has been very active today. He has kicked me in my sensitive spots all day." Katara chuckles softly. I finish with brushing her hair and I lean down to cradle her in my arms once more. I carry her to our bed and crawl in after her. I wrap us in the blankets and pull her close. I kiss the top of her head and place a protective hand over the swell of her belly.
"I can't wait to head home and finish up the nursery," Katara yawns again and snuggles against my chest like a sleepy fire kitten.
"Do you think our son will be here soon my love?" I envision Katara holding our little son and I am filled with fierce protectiveness.
"I think it will be soon." Katara murmurs sleepily and I look down and see that she has fallen asleep. I smile and hold her closer to me. I kiss her brow and close my eyes. I dream of Katara and our little son that night.