My heart raced as I kicked and tore the blankets off of me in a panic. Aang, Sokka and Katara were all scrambling into my room, half asleep. "What's going on, Toph?" Katara asked me, sobering into total alertness.
"I-I think my water just broke," I choked out.
"What!?" Aang and Sokka both shrieked.
"I told you I'd scream 'badgermoles' when it was time!" I snapped.
"Get out," Katara ordered. Aang quickly and happily took his leave but Sokka lingered a second longer. I was scrambling up into a sitting position as Katara hurried around the room gathering pillows and blankets and changing them out with the ones that were rumpled around me.
"Bleeding hogmonkeys!" Katara bit out. "Aang!" She yelled as she put a pillow in the small of my back.
"What do you need?" The Avatar asked.
"I need to buckets, one with water in it the other empty."
"Can do," he said buzzing off on an airscooter.
"Don't destroy my house!" I yelled after him.
Almost an hour later the first contraction took hold of my muscles. Shoot, this isnt bad, I can do this! Piece of cake! Katara kept a close eye on me, checking my every few minutes with her water. She made sure I was comfortable, got me a glass of cold water and a little basin incase I got sick to my stomach.
Once she stopped fluttering around the room, preparing for everything she came and sat down at my hip and held my hand in both of hers. "Are you nervous?" She smiled. I nodded weakly and sighed. "Do you have any questions?" She asked.
"Yeah. How is all this supposed to happen?" I asked, even though I had asked that same question a hundred times before.
"The contractions will get closer and closer together when the baby is closer to coming. They'll get worse but after your baby's born it won't hurt like that anymore," she said brightly. "You'll have to deliver the afterbirth next."I groaned loudly. "Don't worry you won't even feel it," she said patting my hand. "And I'll clean up the baby and then you'll get to feed him for the first time." I nodded shyly. I felt like my head was whirling. I was going to have a little baby in my arms in a matter of hours.
Katara left periodically to keep the boys calm. The first time she came back laughing. "Oh, Toph you should see Sokka, he's green!" I didn't know what green was but I knew it meant he was on the verge of spewing. And it made me laugh.
The second, third and fourth contractions were no worse than those false labor pains I'd been having. Katara left again and came back with Sokka and Aang in tow with her. Sokka immediately grabbed my hand and sat down next to me. Aang was going on and on about how excited he was. I couldnt help but smile broadly at him. He was still that goofy twelve year old trapped in a man's body. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and wished me good luck when Katara said they had to leave. Sokka pressed his lips to my forehead and didn't move for what seemed like an hour. His pulled back with tiny 'smack'. "Good luck, I'll be right in the living room if you need me ok?"
"Kay," I whispered. He gave me quick kiss on my lips and patted my hand before he left.
I heard the wind kick up outside and then a few minutes later ice plinked on my window. Katara threw another log in the fire. "When it gets closer I'll get it nice and toasty in here. It'll help the baby relax. This is a big event for him too," she giggled.
Four more hours passed, each muscle spasm becoming more and more painful. I had bit my lip stubbornly, refusing to cry out. It seemed all was calm, except for the storm raging outside. I was glad I had built that shelter for Appa. And upon thinking of Appa it led me to wonder how Momo was doing. Did he have little lemur children by now?
I was jerked out of my thoughts when my muscles clenched in my hips. It hurt so bad and I yelped in pain and surprise. Katara patted my hand briefly and then checked me out again. She said I was dilated normally, whatever the Tui that meant. When pain bit it's teeth into my muscles again another cry escaped my lips. I let my foot hang over the edge of the bed and my toes brushed the floor. Now at least I could see and it instantly made me feel better.
Another few hours passed and I had given up trying to be silent when my body was overcome in pain. My back was beginning to hurt unbearably. Everything had been calm for too long and I just knew something painful was coming. And my, my, my did it come. I felt like my lungs locked up and my pelvis was breaking into millions of pieces. It seemed as though I was detached from my body when a screamed ripped free of my throat. It was then I noticed I was sweating and breathing like I had just run to the North Pole.
That next hour was when I began to doubt I could do this. It just hurt so much. My body tensed and writhed as another contraction seemed to tear my muscles apart. That was the one that made me start crying. "Katara, it hurts so much," I choked out between sobs.
"I know, sweetie, I know," she comforted as she ran water over me, checking to see how the baby was positioned in the birth canal. Suddenly white hot pain seared into my muscles and I let loose a blood curdling scream. I gripped the sheets in my hands and cried out again. It wouldn't stop! It wouldn't stop! Was I dying!?
"Take deep breaths, Toph, it's ok," Katara said from her position by me feet. I curled my knees up in agony. After that everything seemed to spiral out of my control. I heard water draw from one bucket, wash me and then splash back into another.
Everything hurt, the contractions were so bad and only minutes apart. How could anyone do this!? I screamed again and threw my head back against my pillow in agony. "In through your nose and out through your mouth." Katara coached. A sob shook my shoulders and I only wished it would all stop. "You're doing great, you can start pushing now."
"P-pushing? What- what does that even mean, Katara!" I cried.
"Just-" she was cut off when my body bore down on it's own. "That's actually exactly what you're supposed to do," she encouraged in pleasant surprise. And so I did. Oh it felt like hours I had been pushing and crying and sweating. I cried out in pain, nearly defeaning me to my own laments. "I see the head, come on, Toph!" I pushed down hard so desperate to end this agony. "You're doing splendid, good, Toph, good."
And then exhaustion came over me and I just quit. I was tired, so tired. I let my eyes fall shut and my head loll to my shoulder. I tried to catch my breath, tried to escape reality through sleep, but that blamed waterbender wouldn't let me. "Toph! Don't give up now, you're almost done." I shook my head weakly. And dragged in a deep breath. Don't make me Katara, don't make me. "Just one more big one ok?" Please, no. So tired... "Come on stay awake, Toph. I know you're tired, I know." I just wanted to give up. I couldn't possibly do anymore. Everything hurt so wickedly. "Toph Beifong! You are not a quitter! So give me one more push and you'll have your baby right in your arms!" She demanded.
And then I remembered what all this pain was for. I wanted to meet my baby. And with a horrible scream and one push... I was done. "You have a girl, Toph." I let out a breath and fell back into my pillows. "Here she is," Katara said gently. Something warm, wet and squalling was suddenly on my chest. I brought my arms around her and cried. I cried from happiness, something I never thought I would do. She felt, so- so perfect. A little laugh passed my lips. I had a daughter. And I only loved her all the more. She was mine.
Katara lifted her from my chest, assuring me she was only going to wash her off and that she would be right back in my arms. My eyes fell shut involuntarily. I had never, ever, ever, been so happy and content in my entire life. I thought I was happy when Sokka and I had those tender moments, but they were so dim compared to this. I was nearly asleep when Katara handed me my whimpering child in a soft blanket. I held her close to my chest and ran my index finger over her tiny, soft features. I didn't even notice Katara cleaning me up, delivering the afterbirth and putting a towel between my legs.
I faintly heard her bring in a sharp intake of breath. But I was much too preoccupied with this perfect little girl in my arms. Tears slipped down my cheeks and a huge grin couldn't be supressed. I folded her blanket back and found her toes. There were ten, just like mine, and ten little fingers just like mine. And I wished with all my heart I wasn't blind. A little sob came out at that, I wished I could really see her. I made to move my legs off the bed and tap my foot on the ground to give me a better look at her but Katara grabbed my ankle and made me stay still.
What was I going to name her? I hadn't even really thought of that. I gave her little kiss on her nose and she made the most adorable little 'mmm' sound I had ever heard. I let my head rest back as I held her little palm between my thumb and index finger. "Toph, I need you to stay awake for a few minutes ok?" Why?Why?Why? I'm so tired. I didn't protest and forced my eyes open. My baby was quiet, making soft noises. I could hear her breathing, feel her heart. She was everything I could have ever hoped for. Katara bit something out but I didn't really care at that moment. Her little hand wrapped around my finger and I smiled and sniffled.
I wasn't sure when Katara was finished doing whatever she was doing and left the room. But then I heard Sokka's voice in a low, soft volume. I smiled and tilted my head to better catch his words. "Come here, Snoolzes," I said weakly. The bed dipped beside me and his breath was hot on my face.
"Toph, sh-she's beautiful," she breathed. His arm brushed mine as he reached out to touch her. My baby gurgled quietly at the contact. "What's her name?" He asked me. I was silent as I thought. I wanted her to be strong, independent, determined. And then it hit me.
"Lin." I whispered.
