Prompt Four (August 22, 2009): Secrets

Telephone

A small gray-eyed girl ran up to her best-friend-of-the-day and whispered something into her ear. They both giggled and ran off to spread the news.

"I wonder what they're being so mysterious about," speculated Katara. She was reclining against her husband on Ember Island, watching her children race about the beach with the rest of Team Avatar's children. Usually, they would be much more fascinated with the tide or sand castles, but they were all up to something. A pair of kids paired up and whispered back and forth audibly for a few minutes. As soon as they had conducted their private meeting, they looked up at the two adults relaxing on the wooden porch, snickered, and sprinted away. "Now what was that about?"

"Eh, you know kids. They're probably talking about seeing us kiss, or something," Aang dismissed lightly. He was content with letting them roam around the seaside and just being in Katara's presence. This was the most relaxed he had been for the past three months. Dealing with his family and a civil war in the Earth Kingdom was very taxing on them all. And he was glad to be able to spend a week off with his best friends, kids, and beloved wife.

Sokka, Zuko, Mai, and Suki had gone down to the market earlier that morning to glance around at different shops. Aang had volunteered to stay behind with the excuse of 'not feeling up to wandering around,' and Katara stayed behind to keep him company, not to mention keeping a careful eye on the little mischievous kids. The only regrettable thing about this week was that Toph and her new family couldn't come. It depressed them all – it just wasn't the same without the earthbender. Although it was arguably much more peaceful. But Katara stilled longed to see her friend and her new baby.

"Auntie 'Tara 'n' Uncah Aang? Can we go inside to draw?" asked Sokka's three-year-old daughter, partnered by Zuko's son. They donned their cutest face. Katara would have been much more suspicious had Aang not reassured her that he would accompany them inside.

"You just relax out here. I'll make sure they won't burn down the house," he told her. After they disappeared inside, Katara leaned against the outside wall of the renovated royal beach house, observing the remaining three gathering into a group. They were apparently discussing something important. Normally, Katara would have gone over to see what the fuss was about, but she instead satisfied herself with feeling the cool oceanic breeze. She recalled how years ago they had sought refuge here in the Fire Lord's house. The mansion had long been torn down and rebuilt to accommodate Team Avatar's vacations here, but this retreat had been the first one in years. The group really didn't come together as much as they should, she mused. It was a great birthday gift, however.

Katara very honestly couldn't believe that she was here, in the Fire Nation, celebrating her twenty-fifth birthday. At one point in her life, she thought she would never leave the South Pole. At another, she thought she wouldn't even make it to that age. Fate was hilarious.

She didn't need to do anything special for her day, just being here with her friends, no, her family, was enough. Katara smiled as the group of children finally split up and went to go participate in normal beach activities. Eventually, the ocean, giggle of children, and birds lulled her to sleep. Maybe it was irresponsible, but little did she know, Aang had been peeking out of a window frequently.

Her falling asleep was the perfect edge they needed for their plot. Aang silently motioned to the kids.

They all ran inside as quietly as possible, just barely containing their excitement. Being sneaky was a fun change of pace.

--

Katara woke up to a heartbreakingly beautiful sunset. The sun set the sky on fire in ways she had never seen before. She almost thought she was still dreaming as the waves of purple light danced across the beams of gold and red. The ocean had a greenish hue that somehow pulled the myriad of colors together.

She nearly cried at the sight.

"Beautiful, huh?" he asked, startling her. "The Fire Nation has the best sunsets."

Placing a hand over her heart to calm her heart rate, she sat up. "Oh, you scared me," she replied, stretching her neck. "Was I really asleep that long? What happened to the kids?"

"They're fine. When I noticed you were resting, I called them inside. The others have returned, by the way,"

The waterbender sighed and nodded. That nap felt like one of the best naps she ever had. "Want to go for a walk? I feel like we should spend your birthday doing something other than sleep and make sure the little ones don't turn the beach upside down," Aang continued, smirking.

"I thought you didn't feel up to wandering around today?"

"But you should do something other than sit in one spot all day."

"Eh, I'm fine where I am."

"I insist."

Katara sighed heavily. From the look on Aang's face, she knew he wouldn't give up so easily. And she did need to stretch out her legs. "Okay, okay. Don't get your robes in a knot," she mocked, stabbing a finger at Aang chest. He smiled and thanked her.

--

After calling to the others that they would be going on a short walk, the couple departed. Mostly, their walk was in silence. They just enjoyed being around each other. The sand sifted between their toes as they walked along the beach, feeling the tide every once in a while. The twinkling stars gave the night the perfect beauty to rival the sunset. Not long before, the last edges of the sun disappeared, cloaking their world in an endless sea of black and purple. Aang looked out to the ocean. Its soft, peaceful ripples completed their view. It was the perfect way to end the day.

They desperately wanted to take the scene with them and frame it.

"You know, I heard Toph's voice in my dreams," Katara started, coaxing a bit of conversation out of the quiet air. They paused their walk and retreated to a cliff to just lean against each other thoughtfully. The two were thankful for the small breeze that freed them of the hot, humid air.

Aang laughed. "I see her in my nightmares too," he teased. They both snickered at his retort. "I miss her," he told her sometime later.

"I do too," she sighed. She hadn't seen Toph in two years. Katara thought back to the year they all met. It almost felt like an eternity ago. "Come on, let's go back. I'd like to spend the rest of my birthday with my friends." Aang silently agreed and stood up. He bent down slightly to help her up, and they walked calmly back to the house.

When they reached the mansion, Aang knocked on the front door. "Why are you knocking?" Katara was confused. Couldn't they just use the key they had?

"I'm seeing if anyone is awake," he answered distractedly. When he heard a harried whisper, he knew they weren't ready yet.

"Well I guess we can ju—" Aang suddenly pulled her into a long, deep kiss. This kiss felt different. Maybe it was the fact that they were much more practiced or no one was interrupting them this time. Or maybe it was the edge of desperation on Aang's side. She would have questioned this, but all her thoughts began to evaporate. Somehow, her arms wrapped themselves around his neck and pulled his head down further. After a few minutes, they broke apart with equally besotted smiles.

Katara was so infatuated with her husband at the moment that she barely noticed when he knocked a second time. She barely noticed someone whispering 'ready'. And she barely noticed when Aang pulled her into the darkened den of the house.

Though, she certainly noticed when they scared the living daylights out of her. Katara nearly fainted when they shouted "Happy birthday!!" Flames leapt from hands to candles. The new light revealed several handmade decorations as every child ran straight to Katara. Love-struck smile gone, she leaned against Aang, trying to bring her heart rate back under control.

"Wow. Wow!" she shouted as she gained enthusiasm, giving each child a meaningful hug. "This is so sweet! You guys didn't have to throw a party for me!"

"We know. It's a welcome home party for me."

Katara's head snapped up at the familiar voice. Balancing a small baby on her hip, the woman moved from behind the group of adults. "Oh my, Toph! It's been forever!" Katara ran over to one of her best friends and embraced her like she never had before. It had been so long… Katara was speechless. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

"Careful, you're scaring him," Toph warned. A serene smile graced the younger girl's face as they continued to catch themselves up with each other's lives.

"Hey, Katara!" Suki called. At seven months of pregnancy, Suki was huge. It was a miracle she could even make it to Ember Island. "The kids have a special presentation for you!"

The little children gathered around, two with an enormous banner, and sang the birthday song. It was unbearably cute, and Katara almost cried at the sight. Crying, she thought, I'm doing a lot of that today. She stepped back and admired the banner. It said "Happy birthday Auntie 'Tara / Mom," surrounded by little pictures of Katara. So that was what the little tricksters were up to all day. She fervently thanked them with another hug.

Soon, all of the adults joined the cuddle, and they stayed like that for a few minutes.

It was one of the best birthdays she had ever had.

--

"Did you enjoy the little party?" Aang asked quietly. Their children were long asleep on the other side of the room. They looked incredibly blissful on their little mats. He pulled his own mat up next to Katara's and laid down.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything." Before he could reply, she brought his lips to hers in a chaste kiss. "I love you." And they snuggled in together and fell asleep to the two kids' cadenced breathing.

Lesson learned: Expect the unexpected when it comes to children being sneaky.

A/N: I feel fluffy. Like cotton candy. Bleh.