The ferry ride over was a bit rough.

Bundled in her snow clothes, Toph felt seasick almost the entire time across the water. The ferry ride seemed to have taken forever according to Toph. How she hated traveling by boat. Luckily it was the tourist off-season so there was no one else on the boat and Toph felt comfortable traveling freely if she needed too. At last they reached the dock as a loud clang rang out.

"Anchor ashore!" yelled the captain. Sokka and Toph waved as they got off and walked up toward the path of Aang and Katara's house. It had snowed more than a fair amount at Air Temple Island. Toph had a bit of trouble walking through the snow and had to take very purposeful footsteps in order not to fall on her face. She suddenly grabbed Sokka's hand and she felt herself slipping.

"Whoa! I've got you." he grabbed her back and steadied her.

"It's slippery."

"I know, we're almost there."

"Ah, wait-!" Toph grabbed her stomach and scrunched her face. She took long deep breaths for a couple of minutes and the relaxed a little." I can feel them coming stronger now, but I'm still able to stand luckily." They hurried to Aang's house and then knocked on the door.

"We're here!" Sokka shouted.

Aang opened the door and said, "So nice to see you two! Come in!" He took Sokka's bag and ushered them in.

Aang gave both Sokka and Toph a hug. "Toph, how are you doing? Katara told me a little bit of what's going on."

"I'm not fantastic, but I'm feeling alright, I suppose."

"Ah Sokka! Toph!" Katara came walking into the room. She gave both of them hugs as well.

"Where are Bummi and Kya? I expected them to be attached at my legs by now."

"Oh, I sent them to my neighbor's house. I thought you might appreciate some peace and quiet, as would I." she laughed. " Aang, Sokka, we'll be back in a bit. I'm going to go check on Toph. Come with me." Katara helped Toph out of all of her snow clothes and then lead her to the extra bedroom.

"Boy, I remember this room." Toph said.

"Yes, but now you'll have a happy memory of this room hopefully. Instead of your recovery room, it will be the room where your baby will be born! Would you lie down on the bed for me?"

Toph did as she was told.

"Now, I just want to let you know that I have to examine you. You can trust me, I know what I'm doing."

"If you must." Toph shrugged. Katara pulled off Toph's leggings and under clothes and propped her legs up on the bed.

"Whoa!" squawked Toph. "I didn't expect you to put your whole finger inside me!"

"Sorry, Toph, I need to see if I can feel the baby's head or not."

"It's ok, just…warn me next time."

"I-I thought I did?"

There was a knock at the door.

"Katara, Sokka and I are going to go for a walk before it gets too snowy outside. Is that alright with you two?" Katara looked at Toph who nodded.

"Ye-es!"

"Alright, we'll see you soon!" Katara then heard the back door open and shut.

"It looks like you're doing fine, but no baby yet. All we have now to do it wait." Katara smiled sympathetically towards Toph.

"You have a frown on your face, anything you want to tell me?"

"This is noting like I've ever done before. I don't know what to do."

"There is nothing to do, but stay as relaxed as you can. Why don't we go talk in the living room and I'll make you some white-willow bark tea."

"Alright, that sounds nice, thanks." Katara helped Toph re-dress and they both headed into the living room.

Any tips on Fatherhood, Aang?" You seem an expert with two already and one on the way." Sokka chuckled. Aang chuckled back.

"Well…" Aang sighed. They both stopped.

"When Katara told me she was pregnant with Bummi, it was probably the happiest day of my life. Then I started to realize, I had no idea what I was in for. I sort of still don't, but you just use your instincts and best judgement and everything seems to turn out ok." Aang laughed and scratched his head. "Sokka, you're a natural father-figure in your everyday life. You're going to be a great one at that I know."

"Thanks, Aang. That means a lot."

When Aang and Sokka returned home, they found Toph and Katara in the living room laughing.

"Ah, glad to see you two doing well."

"Hi, Aang. How's the weather?"

"Mighty chilly! And snowy!" Sokka sat down in the middle of Katara and Toph.

"Ach, it's not that cold. It is snowy though." He reached for Toph's hand. "How are you?"

"I'm hungry. Can you hand me the bag of snacks?" Sokka nodded and got up to get it.

"Yes, I'm hungry as well. Aang could you help me with dinner?"

"Of course." he replied. They both stood and went to the kitchen. Sokka came back with the snack bag.

"Do you want to wait for dinner?"

"No, I want my snacks!" Toph said happily. She dug out a piece of dried meat and started chewing on it. "I'm just going to ley my head down here for a bit. I'm sleepy." She yawned and then placed her head on a pillow.

"Alright, I'm going to sit next to you and read my book then."

After dinner, Toph retired to the bedroom for a longer nap and Sokka joined her. He knew he would have a long night ahead of him. A couple of hours later, Toph woke up to an empty room. She stretched and stood up. She walked into the living room with her eyes squinted.

"Hi, Toph." Katara looked up from the book she was reading.

"Where's Sokka?"

"Um, I think he's talking with Aang about something in the other room.

"When is this baby going to be born?" Toph huffed and plopped down on the couch. She crossed her arms and blew her bangs away from her face.

"I'm afraid you'll still have to wait a few more hours, Toph. Katara said as gently as she could.

"Hours?!" she exclaimed. "You're tellin' me it won't be born for hours?"

"Yes, I thought you knew this Toph. Haven't you been learning about your pregnancy at all? You didn't ask me so I thought you already knew."

"Nah, I don't do much reading so I thought I'd just wing it."

"Wing…it?" Katara said in disbelief. "Toph this is serious."

"Listen, sweetness…" Toph growled, "I'm not really in the mood for a lecture. I'm sitting here in a lot of pain!"

"But you're just going into this blindly?"

Katara gasped.

"Oh, I'm…I'm so sorry, Toph. I didn't mean.."

"Aarghh!" Toph grimaced and gripped the sheets beneath her. She started to take short breaths and her body tensed up.

"Breathe slowly…" Katara guiltily added.

Toph took a deep breath and the contraction was over.

It was silent.

"Sorry, Toph, I-"

"Katara, I just do what feels right. I've always done that and it's seemed to work out."

"You're right. I just feel so confident that I can help you through this."

"Well, then, I'm glad you're here." Toph smiled a genuine smile.