Forgot

Disclaimer :I DO NOT OWN ATLA OR ANY CHARACTERS

Revision 12.18.12

Potential

Katara stirred from her slumber to the sound of a deep, familiar voice. She immediately recognized it, and smiled to herself once she realized what he was doing. She decided to feign sleep in order to hear what he was saying. She snuggled closer to her pillow, and waited.

Zuko watch his wife stir and quieted for a second before he made sure she stayed asleep. He sighed in relief and turned to her swollen abdomen, which was covered by a blue silk blanket.

"You almost woke up your mother, my little flame" he whispered, pretending to be cross. He quickly smiled and admitted "Alright that was probably my fault, but I'm sure all your kicking must be getting to her, you know. She seems to be getting more agitated. By the way, what in the world are you making her eat? I mean, really, chocolate covered sea prunes? Please don't tell me you are going to have an obsession with them like your mother. I hope this is over by the time you arrive. I can't stand the smell of those Agni-forbidden…things"

Katara almost dropped her façade to protest, but she heard him speak again.

"It doesn't matter though. I'll love you anyways, just like I love your mother, despite her dietary habits" he chuckled. He began to gently caress the bulge and sighed contently.

"You know that, right?" Zuko began again. His voice was much quieter, gentle. "I loved you from the moment your mother told me about you. I don't care what you are; boy, girl, prodigy, slow-learner, bender or non-bender. You'll always be perfect to me." Katara heard Zuko swallow down his emotions as he continued, "I'll try to be a good father. The kind of father I never had. I'll make mistakes, that's for sure. I always do. I'm going to try, though. I just hope you'll be patient with me, just like your mother was."

Katara took this as her cue to "wake" up. She stirred and stretched as much as her big, growing belly would let her. She finally opened her eyes and found Zuko's golden ones smiling down at her.

"Good morning my Fire Lady," Zuko greeted teasingly "How did you sleep? The baby didn't wake you up, did it?"

"No," Katara admitted. She lifted her hand up to gently touch his face, and he leaned in to meet it. He peered at her with inquisitive eyes, but his smile never wavering.

"What did then?" he asked curiously.

She smiled serenely. "Just thinking of the potential you have to be a wonderful father."