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The Zutara Family

Summary: Following the struggles of Katara and Zuko as they have a family (nine kids) and Zuko decides with his taking the throne...

Rating: K+ or T

Major Characters: Katara (27), Zuko (29), and kids (oldest to youngest as they'll come): Heishui, Little Zuko (Lil' Z as kids call him), Zarina and Zerifina, Jailia, Kaelea, Annalea, Kiki, and Heziah.

Pairings: Katara/Zuko, Toph/Aang, and Sokka/Suki and family relationships

P.O.V.: Third Person Omniscient

Iroh's Advice...

Katara approached the library's door and knocked. She knew that without a doubt that the library was practically the retired general's favorite place to be. She waited a moment, then heard a click and the door opened, Iroh standing smiling before her.

"Hi," she greeted. "I was wondering if I could talk to you...if you weren't busy, that is."

Iroh shook his head. "Not at all. I have plenty of time for my nephew's wife," he said with a smile and that certain gleam in the eye.

Katara returned the smiled and followed him into the great library.

"Please sit," Iroh gestured to a chair across from his own.

Katara settled herself comfortably and let her eyes wander around. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been in the room.

"Tea?" Iroh offered.

Katara shook her head. "No thanks. It makes the baby jumpy."

"Speaking of which, how is Zuko fairing with the process?"

Katara looked down. "Well, that's why I came to talk ot you."

"Things are not going well?"

Katara sighed. "Zuko doesn't want the Fire Lord position. Why?"

Now it was Iroh's turn to sigh. "My nephew is a man who is stuck in his ways, you must wrap your mind around that. Once his mind is made up, nobody can change it for the world."

''But why doesn't he want it?" Katara asked again. "He told me that he's afraid that he'll turn into his father, but there's MORE." She paused. "And he won't tell me."

Iroh lokoed Katara in the eye. "Zuko does not want to end up like my brother, THAT part is true. But the other part is solely his own choice." He paused. "Zuko had turned into a great, responsible man. Whatever choice he makes is his alone."

Katara looked down and sighed again. She put a hand on her belly and thought of her husband. he seemed--very confused. "I--Zuko just thinks too much. I think he's just confused."

"Hm," Iroh nodded. "Very true. Zuko DOES get very flustered and often times confusion follows."

"What do I do?" Katara felt the teary hormones kick in. "I can't live like this!" she threw her fists in the air in frustration of her own.

Iroh put a comforting hand on Katara's heaving shoulder. "Katara, you must be patient. My nephew will come around in time. Just wait and love him like you always have and do."

Katara peered into her bedroom, seeing Zuko laying in bed, legs covered, shirt off. "Zuko, honey?" Katara sat in front of him on his side of the bed. "Baby, I'm sorry I yelled at you," she touched his arm. "You know how this pregnancy's getting to me."

"Yeah..."

Katara huffed, slipped her nightgown on, then laid down on her side of the bed, her back to his. "Zuko, I love you, but if you're going to be m--"

Zuko sat up and turned around. "Katara, you talked to Uncle, didn't you?"

"I HAD to!" Katara shot up and faced him in tears. "You were mad at me, and--and--and I just hate these stupid hormones and the way I am! I hate the way it's wrecking our relationship! I'm just so flustered and mad, and I HATE this!" Katara sobbed, throwing her hands in every which direction.

"Hey, hey, hey," Zuko laid his wife's sobbing face in his shoulder. "Katara, hush." He ran his fingers through her hair. "It's okay. I understand."

Katara sniffed. "You do?"

Zuko nodded. "If ever at anytime you feel you can't talk to me or whenever we're mad at each other, go and talk to Uncle by all means."

"I'm sorry...I just want what's best for all of us," Katara looked at him with tears.

Zuko smiled. "Katara, Princess, I know you want me to take over and be Fire Lord. And I promise that as soon as we have our baby, I'll take the throne, okay?"

Katara looked down. "You don't have to just because I'm forcing you to."

"Katara..." Zuko lifted her chin and smiled at her. "I want to."

"But--"

"No 'buts'," Zuko scolded with a warm, welcoming kiss.

Katara lingered in the kiss, her breathes coming short and her tongue brushing against his. "Zuko..." she said in between kisses. "Zuko, I'm sorry I yelled."

"It doesn't matter anymore," Zuko kissed her neck lightly. "I love you so much, Katara." He paused and whispered in her ear. "And we're going to have a beautiful family.The family I never had."

To this, Katara smiled and wrapped her arms around her husband's neck. "You better believe it...our own little princes and princesses."

Zuko laughed and hugged her gently. "I'm sorry, too. I just--" he sighed. "I wanted Sokka to know so much."

Katara smiled and stroked his face. "I'll tell him--tomorrow...just for you."

Zuko broke into a wide grin. "Really?"

"Well, you promised to take the position, so...it's the least I can do," Katara shrugged and smiled back.

Zuko couldn't contain his excitement. "Thank you," he kissed her again. "So much."

Katara laughed, then yawned suddenly.

"Uh-oh," Zuko smirked. "Somebody's tired."

"Noooo..." Katara droned, rubbing her eye, and Zuko laying her down gently.

He smiled as he saw Katara instantly fall asleep when her head hit the pillow. She was everything he'd ever wanted and more and couldn't believe she was his. "'Night my Fire Princess," he smiled and gently kissed her.

AWWWWWWWWWW. lol


Well, anyway, I hope you liked this chapter and I tried my hardest to write the great and awesome Iroh as best IC (in character) as I could! I really had a tough time with him since I hadn't written a story with him in it.

JayJay!