Thanks for all the revies, and thanks to Lauren for the beginning of my story!
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
Unexpected...but NOT Unwanted
Sokka sat there for a good twenty minute after Katara left, just thinking. He had a lot of thinking to do and he really didn't want to be around people at he moment. He knew Niam woke up from her nap an hour from the time Katara had talked to him, so that meant he didn't have long to think.
After Sokka sat there for another fifteen minutes, he finally knew what he had to do. He got up and made his way to his daughter's room. He sat down by her bed and watched her sleep.
As Sokka watched Niam sleep, he started thinking of what he was going to say to her. He knew he had to be truthful, but he wasn't sure how to start the conversation, but he knew he didn't have too much longer to think about it.
Just then, Niam started to stir. She sat up and looked around. When her gaze landed on Sokka, she smiled. She crawled straight to his lap and clung on for all it was worth.
Sokka wrapped his arms around his daughter gently and gave her a loving hug.
"Did you sleep well?" Sokka asked, stressing the words so that Niam could read his lips. He figured what Katara didn't know, wouldn't hurt him.
Niam nodded and gave her father a kiss.
"I'm glad," Sokka said, cradling his daughter close. He took a deep breath before starting his conversation. "Niam, sweetie, look at me." Sokka started making sure he had his daughter's full attention before continuing to speak. "Mommy and I weren't arguing about you. I promise. We love you very much. I love you, honey. You're special to both of us and I don't know what I would do without you. I love you." He signed the last part and Niam grinned and hugged him back.
Just then, Katara came into the room. She smiled at both of them and gave her niece a hug and kiss. She then asked her how she was and Niam replied that she was feeling better.
"That's good." Katara then turned to Sokka. "And what about you? Are you doing okay?"
Sokka shrugged.
"Do you want to talk?" Katara asked, putting a hand on Sokka's shoulder.
Sokka was about to decline, but one look into Katara's oceanic orbs, and he was compelled to tell her everything that was on his mind. And it wasn't because her eyes were memorizing like Zuko had told her so many times before, but because Katara was his sister and Sokka knew hat Katara would listen to him and try to give him advice. They had always been close, despite their squabbles.
"All right. But can someone watch Niam?" He asked. "I don't want her overhearing this." He smiled down at his daughter and gave her a kiss. He really loved her to pieces.
Katara nodded.
"I'll bet Toph will." She then turned to Niam. ''Do you want to spend some time with Auntie Toph?"
Niam nodded and smiled.
"All right. But first, we need to have a little talk." With that, Katara took Niam out of the room and the two went into a nearby library.
"Okay. I know you didn't mean to do what you did," Katara started, her tone patient and gentle and her signing matching her tone. "But you need to learn when it's okay to repeat what you've overheard and when it's a good idea to keep it to yourself. Do you understand? Sometimes it's okay to tell someone what you've overheard and sometimes it's not. The reason is, we've got to…." Katara's voice trailed off and Niam finished the sentence for her.
Katara smiled at this.
"Respect people's privacy, you got it." Katara gave Niam a hug.
"Careful." Niam said, while signing the rest. She could say certain words, but it was hard for her, so she just stuck to signing most of the time. There were only two people she used speech around and they were Katara and Sokka.
"I know you'll be more careful from now on." Katara told her niece. "And that's a sweet promise. You're a sweet girl, Niam. And I love you."
Niam signed the gesture back and gave Katara a hug.
"Now, go find your Auntie Toph. Go on now!" Katara said, laughing. She playfully swatted Niam's behind, making her giggle.
After Niam was gone, Katara returned to Sokka. She sat next to her brother and gave him a quick hug.
"Well, Niam and I are good to go and she's playing with Tiani now."
Sokka nodded and gave Katara a smile.
"Thanks, Tara. You've really done a good job with her."
Katara nodded.
"So have you, Sokka. You're a great father."
Sokka shrugged.
"I might be a great father, but I'm a lousy husband."
"What makes you say…" Katara's voice trailed off as a surge of pain made its way around her stomach. She sucked in a breath and tried to act like nothing was wrong, but Sokka wasn't fooled. He knew his Tara too well.
"Tara, are you okay?" Sokka asked, knowing Katara would try and hide it from him.
"I'm fine," she said, clearly lying through her teeth, which were gritted in pain.
"Okay, what's wrong?" Sokka asked, putting his arm around Katara. "What hurts?"
Katara shook her head, not wanting to worry her brother.
"I'm fine. Come on, tell me why you and Suki are fighting."
"You're getting away with that one so easily. Come on, Tara. What's wrong? I want to help, but I can't if you won't talk to me."
Katara nodded, but still refused to say what was wrong. She was relieved when the pain subsided for the time being. She straightened up and gave Sokka a small smile.
"See? I'm fine."
Sokka didn't buy it, but decided to let it go for now. He would do something about it if it happened again.
"Okay," Katara said, turning her attention back to the matter at hand. "What about you and Suki? Why were you guys fighting so much? You never argue."
Sokka sighed as he tried to figure out how to answer that question.
"I don't know," he answered honestly. But as he looked into Katara's eyes, he could tell she didn't believe him. "Okay, fine. I guess it's because Niam's deafness. It happened so suddenly and it scared us both so much. And you know how I am with Niam. She's my world. Suki tells me I'm babying her too much."
Katara shook her head.
"I don't think you are. But then again, I think Zuko and Azula are doing the same thing to Heishui, so I don't have room to talk. But still, I think you should just talk to Suki. Get her opinion on what you should do. Niam is both your kid. You should agree on how to raise her. Pick a method that works for both of you. This way Niam won't get mixed messages."
Sokka nodded and sighed. He understood what Katara was saying, but in a way, it confused him.
"I don't baby Niam. I give her time when I have time. And yes, I'll admit, sometimes I give her time even if I'm doing something, but wouldn't you do that if you had a daughter or even a son you were close to?"
Katara's face fell. Sokka had hit a nerve and he knew it the instant he saw her shoulders start to shake.
"Tara? Tara, I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Come on, it'll be okay. Heishui loves you." Sokka went over and embraced his sister, hoping to make her feel better.
"No he doesn't!" Katara sobbed, her voice tearful and full of hurt and longing. "I mean he comes to me when it's convenient, not because he loves me, but because I'm there. And I'm tired of being the convenient one!"
Sokka sighed as he gave Katara ahug.
"Listen," he said, making calming circles on her back, "it's gonna be okay. Look at how good you are with Niam."
"But Niam's not my…." Katara's voice trailed off as as sob escaped her lips.
"It doesn't matter," Sokka told her. "Niam loves you. You did something for my daughter that Suki and I could never have done by ourselves. And I promise, Tara, your time will come. You'll have a special relationship with one of your children."
Katara nodded as she started to calm down. She wiped at her eyes and gave Sokka a smile.
"Thanks, Sokka."
Sokka shook his head.
"It's okay. You're my little sister. I don't like seeing you upset."
Katara nodded and gave Sokka a hug. As she pulled away, she doubled over in pain, grabbing her stomach. "Owhh..."
"Katara!" Sokka shouted in alarm. He didn't give her time to come up with an excuse before running out of the room to get Zuko.
Katara sat up, the pain momentarily gone, yet still present. She hoped Sokka wasn't over reacting too much, but then again, that was Sokka's nature and when it came to her safety and well being, he tended to fly off the handle. And Katara had a feeling that this time was no exception.
Sokka returned not a moment later with Zuko trailing his heels. Katara forced a smile, despite the remaining pain in her abdomen. "Hi, Honey."
"Don't 'Hi Honey' me," Zuko said worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Katara smiled and rolled her eyes. "I'm fine."
But both Sokka and Zuko couldn't and wouldn't ignore the fact that Katara's hand was resting firmly on the underside of her stomach.
"Tara..." Sokka raised an eyebrow at his sister. "You're holding onto--"
"I'm fine!" Katara snapped.
Zuko wasn't buying it for a moment. "Katara, if something hurts and it has to do with the baby, I need to know." He raised an eyebrow. "I need to know if I can trust you to be honest."
Katara winced, losing her battle and groaned. "Ohahow..." she started to kneel down in pain before Zuko and Sokka both took her on each side. "I don't know what's wrong," she said. "I just started feeling pain. And it hurts really bad."
Sokka gave her a look. "I knew something wasn't right with you. Why lie about it?"
"I didn't want to worry you guys," Katara looked from Zuko to her brother. "It's nothing, I'm sure the baby's just fooling around and hiting soft spots." She stood up, determined to prove her point. "I'm okay now."
Zuko and Sokka exchanged looks. "You sure now?" Zuko asked her.
"Yes," Katara said irritably, pulling her arm back. "Where's Heishui?"
"With Azula."
Katara mumbled, "Figured," under her breath, then said, "I'm going to bed," and started walking off, leaving both men every confused as to her odd behavior and sudden pains.
Toph sighed just outside her bedroom door before going inside. She could hear Aang on the other side reading to Tiani and smiled. The toddler never let being blind put her down...much like her own self.
Braving the chance to go inside, Toph opened the door and knew that Aang was looking at her with his lopsided smile she loved when he stopped reading.
"Tiani, Honey," Toph spoke gently to her daughter. "Daddy and I need to talk, okay? Why don't you go find Niamne?"
"Okay, Mommy," Tiani gave Aang a kiss, then ran out of the room.
"No running, Ti!" Toph called after her. "I don't want any accidents!"
Aang was shifty. "What's up, Toph? Am I in trouble again?"
Toph laughed...the laugh that Aang had first heard and loved when he saw her in a vision in the Swamp so many years ago. "Barely, Twinkle Toes," she grinned. "Actually, I have to tell you something."
Aang was slightly confused. "Okaaayyy...shoot. As long as I'm not going to get into any trouble, I--"
"I'm pregnant, Aang."
"And we're not going to fiiiyiiiight...WHAT?" Aang thought twice, then stared wide-eyed at his wife and almost fell back. "Did I hear you right?" he shook his head.
Toph giggled again. "Yes, Aang. You heard me right." She then seemed to think twice. "And you didn't sound to happy..." She lowered her eyes. "You don't want another baby?"
Aang shook his head. "No! I do, I do!" He took Toph into his arms. "You just--I was just surprised is all. No worries, Toph." He smiled and kissed her lightly. "I'm happy. I can't wait."
Toph smiled and melted into her husband's arms. "I thought for sure Tiani would squeal before I got to tell you."
Aang's eyes widened. "You told our three-year-old daughter before you told ME?"
"I was scared," Toph said. "I didn't know what you would say."
"I love you," Aang said. "Why would I say otherwise? No matter what was going on?"
Toph shrugged. "I just didn't know."
"Well now you do," Aang smiled. "Really, Toph? Are we really?"
Toph giggled again. "Yes, Twinkle Toes, really."
"Phew!" Aang fingered her bun. "I was hoping it wouldn't be some dream."
"It's not, Twinkle Toes..." Toph smiled and closed her eyes. "Believe me--it's not."
THANKS TO LAUREN FOR THE BEGINNING!
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