CHAPTER 2: SOFA WILL BE OK

120 AG - 8 days after Lin's birth

"Here we are!" Sokka popped out of nowhere, bringing a huge sack in his shoulder. "Nice to see you Toph! Where's the cute little baby? Where's the star of uncle eyes? Where's she? There she is! – he screamed approaching the cradle the baby was sleeping in- Watch at her, watch at HER! Oh, gosh, she's so beautiful! See, Lin, I've brought presents to you, something from Katara and Aang…but hey, watch this, this thing was mine when I was about your age!"

Sokka extracted a water tribe rattle from a pocket and started moving it up and down to make it produce sounds. He was speaking such in a rush that even Toph didn't dare interrupt his enthusiastic flow of words nor reminding him that she couldn't see her unfortunately. She was sure that if he were a dog he would probably be wagging his tail in this moment.

Toph smiled at the idea.

Sokka had entered Toph's house - he used the copy of the key Toph entrusted to him some days before Lin's birth- like a tornado, throwing things all around, placing objects here and there as he advanced room by room. Not a problem for the owner of the house: Toph was pretty well-known for the mess she used to leave it in. She didn't even need better greetings. While she was in the hospital, Toph agreed with Sokka and the others that she'd need help for a little more time in order to get used to her new life rhythm, and Sokka volunteered to go to stay directly with her for a while. He had no family to take care after all and his daily scheduled work allowed him to take a bit of paperwork at home if needed. Plus, he had already done it in the days before the childbirth and many of his things were already at Toph's place.

"I've practiced a lot with Katara's children…and they're quite demanding- as my sister is- so I'm well trained…" he assured Toph of his offering in the hospital, gaining a painful -and deserved- punch from Katara.

And Toph didn't find any reason to tell him not to stay for a little while more. After all, they put so much effort to make her accept the help they seemed so eager to give her. Sokka even proved to be really a great help. And he was planning to do no less now.

So today was the day when she was supposed to return home and Sokka to move at her place.

And now that Toph was in front of him she could only be happy. She'll certainly need help and, judging from his present mood, Sokka was still willing to do as much as he could, and even more. Plus, she enjoyed that kind of happy-go-lucky Sokka. She had always appreciated and sided with his sorta foolish nonsense. Her daughter even seemed to like him.

"Welcome meathead chief!- she finally greeted him with a laugh, placing all those thought aside- You were so quiet I didn't notice you entering the house at all!" made fun of him Toph.

Sokka turned and finally seemed to pay really attention to her. "Ah-Ah! Funny as ever… - he mocked her before switching to the practical side- I've brought many things, but I'll bring even more next week. This round I'll be ok sleeping on the sofa as I did before. I've planned everything from this day 'till next month"

"Just how I could imagine, plan-guy -Toph surrendered at his will- D'ya really think we'll have time to sleep?"

"Of course, not. That's why the sofa will do great!"

That was so Sokka. Toph sighed, giving him a shiny glare with her blind milky eyes.

"Thank you, snoozle. I really appreciate it" she said, smiling with all her heart.

"It's my pleasure, I've told you"

Toph was really grateful to him. Nobody obliged his friend to do anything for her, not especially give her a hand in dealing with a newborn child who was not his own. But there he was, throwing happiness and cheerfulness all around him, doing his best for her and the baby girl in the cradle. Sokka was really a blessing to her, he was a blessing back then where they were just a bunch of kids and he was still now, that they were all grown up, to her messed up family.

"How long can you stay?" she asked while helping him unpacking his things.

"As much as you and Lin need" he replied, his voice vanishing when his head entered in a giant backpack laying in an angle.

He didn't leave that house until Lin was six.

-Author's corner-

Hello! Thanks to be here again! I hope you enjoyed this small chapter as well :3 I'll be pleased to see any comment or receive any advice. See you in the next chapter :P