It took Katara another 2 weeks of pure bliss before the effects of her 'condition' started to show. During that time, Zuko had calmed down and started to go back to normal in his routines leaving Katara alone to feel content. Both of them heard the healthy heartbeat and where preparing for the baby in their own ways.
Uncle had started to hang around Katara more and more when she was at work. Anytime someone with a baby came into the shop he would ask to hold the child in front of her and talk about how good he was at things like burping and swaddling. It was happening so much that Ty Lee pulled Katara aside and asked if maybe Iroh was hinting about adoption.
The first symptom to appear was morning sickness and it took her by surprise. Katara was walking up to her next table of the day when the customers perfume hit her nose and the wave of nausea stopped her in her tracks. She put a hand over her mouth and promptly ran to the bathroom to throw up breakfast.
Everything was rolling her stomach and all she could think about was how in the world she was going to finish her shift. Thankfully she was saved by Uncle knocking on the door asking if she is ok. "Yes… I am ok! I just got a bit… sick…"
"Say no more my dear! Please take a break and I will take over your tables for you while you rest."
Trying to sit up and even thinking about the customers smell caused Katara to feel nauseous again and she nodded to no one agreeing that a break sounded like a good idea. When she got settled in the break room and pulled out her phone to text Zuko, he came walking through the door with panic in his eyes.
"Uncle called, he said you got sick. Are you ok? Was it something you ate? Do you want to call the doctor?" Oh Tui and La, she thought, I assumed we were over this already.
"I am fine, a smell just hit me the wrong way. This is perfectly normal Zuko, you didn't need to worry. Look, I was in the middle of texting you what happened before you came through the door."
"I still think we should head home. Lets just… take it easy." As much as she wanted to argue with him, he stomach did another flip and she bobbed her head realizing there wasn't anything wrong with taking sometime.
The sickness unfortunately did not go away. For the next few weeks food sounded gross and certain smells would trigger long bathroom visits hugging the toliet. Zuko was a nervous wreck continually asking her if she took her vitamins and if the baby was going to be ok without much food in her stomach. When Sokka announced there was going to be a "Boys night out" celebrating his engagement, Katara kicked Zuko out of the apartment begging him to see reason.
"I am going to be FINE. I will be watching a movie and going to bed early, go have a great time. If I have any problems at all I will call you AND Uncle AND the doctor."
After a bit more protesting, Zuko relented and agreed to go. Neither realized her next symptom would appear while he was gone.
...
Sokka's idea was to celebrate the end of being a bachelor in the downtown outside market that featured every type of meat known to man. Aang, sensing the possibility he would not be eating at all ate ahead of the meet up. Zuko and Sokka did not eat anything in anticipation of trying as many different vendors as possible. The first vendor they came too offered seal on a stick and an imported drink called "The Cactus Juice". Aang declined immediately but Zuko bought a cup taking Sokka's promise that it was the best thing he had ever had. Both men saluted "Cheer's" as the downed the first glass.
This is how Zuko and Sokka spent the next hour singing "Secret Tunnel" and being surprised by everything they saw.
"All I am saying is man… did you know.. you… You….. Are like… my brother!" Sokka says in the middle of his meat pie bite. "I mean… like.. NOW you are LITTERALLY my brother… you … you married… (hiccup)… you married my SISTER man…"
"Sokka… SOOKKKKAAAA… I love her so much. She is… Amazing… And man… the sex is amazing… I mean… Sokka… she is my whole world… here… hold on look at this…" Zuko holds his finger up dramatically as if he is going to reveal something special as he takes out his phone. Sokka meanwhile is scrunching up his face trying to forget the idea that his sister is amazing at sex. She is not allowed to have sex, she is still his baby sister after all.
"SOKKA… look at this… this phone… this phone is my life line to both of them. She… She… (Hiccup)… She is gonna tell me the minute something is wrong so I can be there… Sokka… She is soooooo breakable right now…. And she forced me to come out but I can't stop thinking about her… being there… and having… morning sickness….(Hiccup)…." Sokka is nodding along clearly not listening. He was blocking out anything Zuko was saying about Katara with fear he would hear about his baby sister and sex. Not to be outdone, Sokka then starts in about Suki. "I know… I KNOW exactly what you are talking about… Suki… Zuko I mean… SUKI is my life line man… She even does my laundry… and she is so flexible with all her exercising…"
Aang, however, is fully aware of everything each of them is saying and is staring at Zuko with a look like he was smacked with a fish. Katara was pregnant? Clearly it was still early and he had a feeling that Zuko was not supposed to tell anyone. As both men continued on their "meat and cactus juice" quest ranting and raving about everything under the sun, Aang followed after them laughing at both of them. When was Sokka going to realize what Zuko said or will he miss it all together?
When all three gentlemen hit the end of the market street, Sokka stretched his hands out to each side and started shouting to the sky. "I AM GOING TO GET MARRIED TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFEEEE!!!!!!!"
Zuko meanwhile was holding the nearest lamp pole as if it was the only thing holding him upright while grinning ear to ear. "yahoo!!!" He says while Aang walks over and tries unsuccessfully to grab Sokka's hand and pull him back to the side of the street. Sokka stumbles over to Zuko and both men start to sing 'Secret Tunnel' again so out of tune that people are looking over and laughing. After the chorus, the silence is drowned out by a sudden ring.
For the first time in his life, Zuko doesn't realize it is his phone that is ringing and starts looking at the gawker's wondering who would interrupt the guys night by having a phone go off. Aang kindly points out that it is in fact Zuko's phone that is ringing when Zuko starts to shout at a nice couple that they need to answer their phone.
"oh guys… GUYS… it is Katara… KAAAAAAAAA-TAAAAAAAAAA-RAAAAAAAA" Zuko answers the phone with so much enthusiasm he looks as if he is announcing it to the street. He sways dangerously to the side with Aang graciously pushing him back upright. "Katara… Sokka… Sokka is gonna marry SUKIIIIIIIIIIII… and they are in love like us!!!! Did you know…. Did you know…" Hiccups continue to emanate from his mouth as he tries to walk toward Sokka with a lopsided smile.
As Zuko starts nodding along to whatever Katara is saying Aang uses this opportunity to walk over to Sokka and make sure he has a good grip on the lamp pole he is holding on to. "I am under the impression you are missing a few things tonight Sokka… But when you find everything out, I hope you are as excited as I am to hear about the coming addition."
"AANG…. You are totally right buddy… totally right… They should make more poles like this… look at how well it is holding me up!" Sokka drops to his knees to start having a conversation with the pole in question as Zuko ends his call.
"WE NEED TO BUY ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need to buy ice cream and… something else… pickles? Aang… Aang did Katara ask for me to also buy pickles? Cravings are WEIRD man. Imagine if Sokka had cravings? Ha ha ha ha. He would crave weird meat concoctions."
Aang's muffled laughter fills the air as he responds, "Then I think we need to get a Taxi for everyone."
Zuko starts to nod his head hard as his eyes glaze over at Sokka. "Exactly what I was thinking buddy. Exactly. Man we are… SOOO lucky she is eating again. She threw up for weeks! It was gross to be honest…."
Sokka used that exact moment to fall flat on his face laughing. "GUYS… This lamp post just said the funniest thing I have ever heard! He is a 'bright' new comedian." And then rolls over holding his side.
After what was the most painful shopping experience of Aangs life the boys were heading to the apartment with ice cream and pickles in hand. Not only did Aang have to apologize to the cashier after Sokka added no less than 10 candy bars, (1 after every time they claimed they were done and ready to pay) but he also had to pick up Zuko's wallet off the floor after Zuko started to argue with the cashier that ice cream doesn't cost $50. "no sir, it doesn't but you bought 10 candy bars, ice cream, 3 soda's, pickles and the balloon shaped as a bear."
Sokka wisely explained that everyone had to use the stairs up to the apartment since the elevator was haunted. By the time they were outside the apartment, Zuko had forgotten what was going on in general and almost knocked on the wrong door before Aang corrected him. Katara opened the door to Sokka holding one side of the door, Aang holding all the groceries, and Zuko staring at her with wide surprised eyes.
"uhh… hi. Zuko here… You are so pretty..." She rolled her eyes assuming he was joking and looking at the only sane one asked Aang, "Are they both drunk?" Aang nodded his head while trying unsuccessfully to shove both men into the apartment. Soon all of them are in the kitchen and Katara starts pulling out a bowl to have ice cream. "Can I get some of that?" Sokka asks as Zuko just continues to stare at her. When she can't take it anymore, Katara squints at him and says "What are you staring at!?"
"umm… are you… are you single by chance?" Zuko says with such longing that everyone stops what they are doing and looks at him. "You remind me of a goddess from my dream. I thought I was married to her and it was the best dream of my life…" Katara has a small smile appear on her lips and her cheeks heat up as she stares back at Zuko. "oh… oh umm… I am actually married to the love of my life."
Zuko nods like he just was told someone ran over his puppy and while sitting at the counter starts to tear up. Realizing that this is not going to get any better Katara walks up to him and takes his face into her hands. "You crazy man… I love YOU. I am YOUR wife, remember?"
"really?" He responds and then starts to giggle, actually giggle in front of everyone. "Ok, and on that note I think it is bedtime for everyone. Aang, Sokka… you both can stay if you would like and take up the spare room or the couch. I think I need to take someone else to bed." And with that, she grabs Zuko's hand and starts leading him to their room.
Aang kindly puts everything away and helps Sokka to sleep. Before he goes to bed, he smiles to himself realizing they are perfect for each other and what kind of parents they are going to make.
...
In the morning, Katara is up and making everyone waffles when Aang comes in whistling. They have a small chat where he updates her on last night's events minus finding out any important news. Sokka slinks in as if the lights are too bright next and asks both of them to not talk so loud. Zuko is the last one out of bed and his hair is going everywhere. When he comes up to the island in the kitchen Katara spins around and gives him a loving kiss while whispering she is going to take a shower and then set up the TV for his video game.
As she dances out, he looks at her with confusion. "guys, what happened last night?"
Aang is the first to volunteer, "Well.. you both got drunk off cactus juice, Sokka became friends with a lamp pole downtown, I think you both got kicked out of the local grocery shop and then YOU proceeded to hit on your wife asking if she was single. When she said she was married, you started to cry." Naturally Aang's smile was hard to miss as he started to chuckle towards the end of his story.
Everyone agreed maybe they do that less often.