You all can hate me for not updating in forever. I only have a semi excuse and that is Crew. We have been training really hard. It paid off on Saturday where we won 1st place. So yah please read and review. And after this chapter is when Zuko will come back. The faster you review and the more you do it the sooner you get more!
This is dedicated to all of my previous reviewers!
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After several days Sokka got used to the fact that his sister, his poor innocent baby sister, was pregnant. He was actually kind of excited to have a little person around, someone to teach everything he knows to.
Katara was still getting used to that fact. She really didn't want to be pregnant yet. She was only 16 and on a mission to save the world. Katara didn't have time to raise a child properly, or the means to do it. She wanted to be married and have a home set up before she wanted a baby. But fate would have none of that.
Katara and Zuko had no right to bring a baby into this war torn world, especially now when they were within reach of ending everything. This placed them back so far.
They traveled for four months before they stopped at a village. Aang got a coupon for an earth bending lesson.
While at the school Aang was told about Earth Mania. Sokka naturally wanted to go; Katara on the other hand didn't want anything to do with it. She only agreed to go because of Aang's nagging that he could get a teacher there.
(Go watch episode and find out how they got Toph. I'm not talented enough to write out the entire episode.)
"Aang, Sokka," Katara sighed, "and Toph. I think we need to consider staying in one place until the baby is born. I just can't travel like this anymore. I want to, but I can't."
The entire little group sat in silence for a minute. They all knew deep down that Katara was getting very big and that she needed help with raising Aang and Sokka and a little bit of Toph. Sokka and Aang pretty much still acted like kids. She needed a break from raising them.
"But what about Aang's training? I mean we need to finish his training." Sokka asked hesitantly. Katara had thought about that. "I've made arrangements with the inn keeper, Madam Pam, here. She will let me stay as long as I need to. All I have to do is work until I can't anymore." She saw Sokka's eyebrows go up, "Sokka don't worry what I mean is until the baby is too big in my belly."
Sokka exhaled slowly, "We're staying too. I can't leave you alone here Katara."
"But Sokka-."
"No Katara, Sokka's right we can't leave you here with a baby on the way." Toph spoke up.
Katara smiled at that. Katara and Toph had had a sticky beginning, and she was glad to hear she wanted to stay. It meant a lot to hear it from Toph. Katara didn't know how to respond, so she started to cry.
"Umm…sugar queen are you crying?" Toph asked hesitant.
"I'm sorry Toph; it's just the hormones." Katara whispered wiping away tears.
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Katara was content working for Madam Pam, but she missed traveling. Aang and Toph would leave the great gate everyday then return before dusk. Sokka had gotten a job with a butcher. Sokka loved the job. He got all the meat he wanted. Well, actually he would get all the meat that was left over at the end of the week.
Between Sokka and Katara they made enough money to save for supplies they would need to travel to the fire nation.
But every time Katara thought of the fire nation she thought of Zuko. She wondered where he was every minute of every day. She wished more than anything that they could be together, seeing as he might never see their child. Katara tried not to think of that. Hadn't promised, though, that he would find her once this mess was cleaned up? He did one day when they were laying together. I have it written in my first draft but I think I may have deleted it in my final copy For now she would work and then have their baby and try and get this war over with.
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The Birth
Madam Pam told Katara she had to stop working at 8 and half months. She was such a caring woman. Katara and her had grown quite close in that last few months.
The inn had a small garden and Katara often sat there to relax. When Aang was taking a break from training he would join her, and they would play cards or just relax and talk. And they that's what they were doing one particular night at around dusk.
"How are the new moves coming? You looked pretty good to me out there." Katara said sweetly as she sipped mangonade and rubbed her huge stomach.
"Ummmm…." Aang hesitated, "Yeah I guess Toph has really gotten on me. We've been doing a lot of new moves. I've also been using different types of earth. I may even be able to start metal bending next week Toph says." He perked up a bit as the words rolled off his tongue.
"I wish we could continue your water bending but this," Katara rubbed her belly, "Is sadly in the wa-" Katara clenched her stomach, her drink spilled all over the patio and Aang ran to her side, "KATARA! WHAT'S WRONG?! MADAM PAM!" Aang screamed at the top of his little lungs."
Katara looked up at him, "Get Madam Pam, the baby's coming" Aang ran off to get her and was back with Pam in less than five minutes. Sokka and Toph followed right behind them at their heels.
"Sokka can you carry her to my room? We need to get her inside." Sokka gingerly picked up his sister under her knees and around her back while Aang grabbed her on the other side. Katara was breathing deeply and trying to stay calm. She had delivered several babies back in the South Pole with her grandmother.
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Six hours later
Madam Pam and another woman named Marina where with Katara during her labor. The rest of the Gaang waited outside restlessly. Eventually after four hours Toph got so annoyed with the wait that she made Aang go with her to their practice field and throw some dirt around.
After that got boring they went back to their "home."
"This little pooper needs to be born! I can't take anymore waiting. Everyone's hearts are going crazy!" Toph threw up her arms in defeat.
Sokka mumbled in agreement. He kept carving his little wooden creature, though. It was hard to hear his sister's cries and not be able to help.
It was around three in the morning that they all heard a final scream from Katara then a good healthy infant cry.
Aang whistled, and Toph and Sokka cheered at the sound of the baby. They were all waiting in anticipation. Then, a few minutes later, Marina came out and told them that the baby was a boy.
"I'm an uncle. I'M AN UNCLE!!" Sokka was dumbstruck at first; then he wrapped his arms around Marina and started to dance with her. She was shocked at first but then started dancing with him. She was a shy girl, but she had been looking at Sokka for a while know.
"I can't believe it! This is going to be great! I can teach whatever element he is going to have!" Aang then grabbed Toph and started to swing her around.
They danced and cheered and hugged each other so many times. Then Madam Pam came out looking very weary, "Sokka if you want you can go see her. She wants you." She directed at Sokka, "Then you two can go in after he's done. Don't stay to long; she is very tired. But she did a good job."
Sokka nodded and went in to the room. Katara lay on the mattress hot and sweaty but looking so happy; she held in her arms a small bundle. She looked up as Sokka came in and smiled. "Come look, Sokka."
He was unable to move from his location just inside the door. He just looked at his no longer baby sister with tears in his eyes. Sokka very slowly made his way over to her. Katara adjusted her arms so he could see his nephew. Sokka was awed.
The baby had a small tuft of black hair and looked a little like his mother and sadly (from Sokka's view) a lot like his father, Zuko.
Sokka looked at his sister, "He's perfect. I can't wait until I can start training him. I'm going to teach him everything I know! I'll teach him to fight and cook and get girls. Oh this is going to be perfect!"
"Whoa Sokka slowed down! I only gave birth to him an hour ago! And plus you're going to marry Suki after this war. I'm sure of it! And you really need to stay out of the kitchen." Katara laughed.
"Well I can still dream can't I? I mean who will teach him if I don't?" Sokka said shaking his head smugly.
Katara looked at her son sadly; she wanted him to know his real father. And she did wonder if she would ever manage to see him again. If this war would ever end and if she would be married to her love, if she would be really would become fire lady. Instead of voicing all this she simply said, "Want to help me name him?" Sokka smiled and replied, "Sure. What do you have in mind?"
Katara wrinkled her brow, "I want something to do with the water tribe, but I think I owe his father something also." They all had agreed to not mention Zuko's name. When someone asked where or who her "husband" was she would just say he was away fighting in the army and she didn't want to say his name because it hurt not to see him. (Yeah I know it's corny, but go with it.)
"Ok then." Sokka said confused.
"I like Nile Lee." Katara said mater of factly.
Sokka smiled warmly and went to stand closer to his sister and nephew, "It's perfect for our newest member." They sat there staring at Nile for a while before Katara started to yawn, "I'm going to leave sis." He tuned to leave but then smacked himself in the head, "I forgot Toph and Aang wanted to see you! Should I send them in?"
Katara sighed, "Can you tell them I'll see them in the morning? And I'm sorry?"
Sokka smiled one last time and then left.
I know you all hate me for not updating in forever but I really kicked myself to finish this. Sorry!!
