Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA... yada... yada...yada...

Chapter 35

Aang worked diligently on Katara's necklace until well in to the early morning hours. He had found a nice secluded area in the forest next to a bubbling brook leading away from a small waterfall, it was a breathtaking site. He'd have to remember to take Katara there for a picnic sometime, maybe he would even propose to her there. He still hadn't decided how or when he would ask her, but he had decided it would be soon because he had missed so much of Katara and Tenzin's lives already and didn't want to waste any more time. Soon they would be a legitimate family in the eyes of her people, and the world.

Katara lay awake in the dark, unable to sleep. ' Where is Aang? What could be so important to keep him out all night? 'She was worried sick, literally. She must have vomited 12 times this evening and was starting to lose weight, which concerned her. ' I have got to see a doctor to get over this morning sickness. This can't be good for the baby. The baby... How am I going to tell Aang, I should have taken precautions... ' She thought. Suddenly, the door to the bedroom opened and she could barely make out Aangs form stealthily making his way over to the bed, then removing his robes. Just as he was pulling back the covers to slide in next to her she spoke, " Where have you been all night? I've been worried sick."

" Arrrgh! Don't do that! You nearly scared me to death!" He shouted.

" Well then that makes two of us!" She shouted back.

" I'm sorry... I didn't mean to yell at you, you just startled me, that's all. How come you're still awake? I thought you'd be sleeping." He replied.

" I couldn't sleep, I was worried." She said softly.

" I'm sorry, Katara. You should know I wouldn't stay out all night unless it was something very important." He answered softly, brushing her her away from her face gently.

" Well, what was so important that you couldn't have at least told me where you were going?" She asked.

" I can't tell you right now, but trust me, it was very important." He replied. " You'll know soon enough, believe me." He added, kissing her softly.

Katara was about to reprimand him for keeping secrets, but thought about her little secret that she was keeping from him and thought better of it. " I left a plate for you, it's on the table if you're hungry." She said.

" Nah, I'm exhausted. I just want to get some sleep, it'll be daylight soon." He replied. " How are you feeling?" He added.

" I'm fine, thanks." She said. " Oh, we will have to leave for the Fire Nation day after tomorrow to make it to the wedding on time. I've packed a few things for the trip." She added.

" Oh man, the wedding! I nearly forgot about that!" He said, smacking his palm on his forehead. " We have to get them a gift." He added anxiously.

" Don't worry, it's already taken care of. Suki and I went shopping this afternoon and got a beautiful set of - " She said, then realized that Aang was already sound asleep, snoring lightly. She smiled softly, then rolled over to get some sleep herself.

The next morning at breakfast the gang chatted excitedly about Zuko and Mai's upcoming nuptuals and went over the last minute details in preparation for their departure the following morning, when the conversation was rudely interrupted by a loud belch coming from the doorway to the kitchen.

" Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup... Man that was the worst trip I think I've ever been on." Toph said loudly. " I feel like I just got my butt kicked by a platypus bear." She added wearily.

" Toph!" Everyone shouted happily in unison.

" Yeah, yeah... I'm glad to see you guys, too." Toph replied nonchalantly as everyone ran over to hug her. " Alright already, enough with the hugging... What's for breakfast?" She added.

" Food." Sokka replied sarcastically with a smirk.

" Duh... " Toph said annoyed.

" Please, sit down and have some breakfast and tell us what you've been up to. Where's Haru? Why didn't you tell us you were coming?" Katara queried with excitement.

" Slow down, sister, one thing at a time." Toph replied with a smile. " Haru's at the academy finishing up a few things, he'll meet us at Zuko's place before the wedding. And I didn't tell you I was comin' cause I wanted to surprise ya... duh." She added sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

" You're lucky you made it here before we left, we're heading out in the morning." Sokka said before stuffing his mouth with rice.

" I knew you would still be here, you guys are sooooooooo predictable." Toph replied as she piled her plate full of food, then sat down to eat.

" Yeah, I guess we are." Aang said laughing, and everyone joined him.

After breakfast Suki and Katara finished the dishes while Toph sat with her feet propped up on the table, leaning back in her chair with her hands behind her head. " Are you guys about done, I'm bored over here."

" Well, if you were helping we would have been done by now." Katara replied irritated.

" Yeah, well I'm not in to all that domestic stuff." Toph replied dryly.

" Yeah, we noticed." Katara said sarcastically.

" Whatever." Toph replied as the girls put the last of the dishes away then sat down at the table to join her.

" So... Toph... How's it going with you and Haru?" Suki asked.

" It's goin'. He's a good guy." Toph said matter-of-factly.

" Any wedding bells in your future?" Suki asked with anticipation.

" No. Well... he did ask." Toph said quietly.

" What?" Suki and Katara shouted incredulously.

" You said yes, didn't you?" Katara asked.

" Not really." Toph replied softly.

" What do you mean, not really?" Suki asked before Katara had a chance.

" Well, I sorta... have this... little problem." Toph said.

" What little problem?" Katara asked.

" I'm pregnant." Toph replied softly, hanging her head.

" What!" Both girls shouted in unison.

" You heard me." Toph replied annoyed.

" How's that a problem? It is Haru's baby isn't it?" Katara asked.

" Of course it is!" Toph said angrily.

" I'm sorry, Toph, it's just that... that seems like a very good reason to get married. Does Haru know?" Katara said.

" Yes, he knows." Toph answered flatly.

" Oh, I'll bet he's so excited!" Suki exclaimed grinning and clapping her hands with excitement.

" He is." Toph replied.

" Why won't you accept his proposal, Toph? I don't understand." Katara said with concern.

" Because... how am I supposed to know if he really wants to marry me, or if he's just doin' it because it's the proper thing to do.?" Toph replied with frustration.

" Oh, I see. Well, hasn't he told you that he loves you?" Katara asked.

" Well, yeah..." Toph replied.

" Do you love him?" Katara asked.

" I think so." Toph said.

" Then what's the problem?" Katara asked.

" You wouldn't understand, Katara." Toph replied.

" Oh, I'll bet she would." Suki said smirking, and Katara shot her a dirtly look.

" What do you mean?" Toph asked.

" Nothing." Suki said quickly, looking down at the table in front of her.

" How far along are you, Toph?" Katara asked, trying to redirct the conversation.

" About 2 months, I think." Toph said softly.

" Toph, I know Haru loves you, and if you love him, It shouldn't matter if your pregnant or not." Katara replied.

" Yeah, Toph, say yes." Suki added softly.

" I need to think about it, all of this is happening so fast it's freaking me out." Toph said anxiously.

" Toph... " Katara said softly.

" Yeah." Toph answered.

" I'm pregnant, too." Katara said barely above a whisper. It didn't feel right not telling her best friend when she had just confided in them.

" Wha...? Really?" Toph said with excitement.

" Yeah, really." Katara replied smiling.

" Where's Twinkletoes, I gotta congratulate him!" Toph shouted happily.

" Sshhhhhh... Keep it down, he doesn't know yet." Katara whispered.

" What? Why not?" Toph said incredulously.

" I don't know, I'm scared." Katara replied, playing with a lock of her hair nervously.

" Well, aren't you the pot-calling-the-kettle-black." Toph said smirking.

" I know, I know... I'm going to tell him... soon." Katara said.

" You'd better, he deserves to know. Has he popped the question yet?" Toph asked.

" No." Kataral said sadly.

" You're kidding me!" Toph shouted.

" No, I'm not." Katara said.

" Well, as much as he loves you and the little monster, I'm sure he's gonna... any day now." Toph said softly, patting Katara's hand in a sympathetic manner.

" Yeah... Any day now." Suki said.