"Nefumae, Keira," Katara chastised softly as her children all but tripped over themselves running towards their father. Zuko picked up his son and spun him around while the five year old boy laughed. He had his Father's dark hair and pale skin, but his mother's large blue eyes. The boy was enchanting with his wide smile and cheerful countenance. Keira squealed next to him for her Father's attention as Zuko picked up his three yeard old daughter and put held her as he walked towards his wife. Keira hid her face in her father's crimson robes while her brother walked alongside her Father, chattering away. Keira's head turned toward her mother as they approached her and she scrambled to get down, her golden eyes glinting with miscief.
She put her arms around Katara saying "Mommy, Mommy! Daddy's here! Look, he's here!" her brown curls bounced up and down as she tugged her mother's hand, all but dragging her to her husband. Katara laughed at her daughter's antics. And seated herself on a nearby bench and Zuko followed suit.
Zuko placed Nefumae on his lap and spoke to his son. "How were your lessons today? Did you behave yourself?" he said with a stern look, while Katara snorted at him.
Nefumae nodded up and down energetically and began to recount what he had learned that day.
"What about you, Princess?" he asked, scooping up his daughter. Keira giggled and scrambled to sit between the Fire Lord and Lady. "Mommy and I drew pictures and went to see the ostrich horses," she exclaimed excitedly.
Zuko raised a brow at Katar questioningly. "I hope your mother didn't ride one," he said, traces of worry in his voice, his gaze lingering on his wife's slightly protruding stomache.
Katara smiled and looked down at her stomach. "No, we just pet them today. No riding for me for quite awhile," Katara lamented, as ostrich horses were enjoyable to ride.
Zuko nodded, appeased.
It was in that moment that Iroh appeared upon the little family scene. He smiled fondly at his nephew and his family, happy with how far he had come. Iroh had abdicated the throne shortly after Zuko married Katara, but remained around to guide the young Fire Lord. Iroh knew his time in the world was near an end, but he was glad to see this scene before he left it. Katara was a good match for his nephew. She could match his fire and passion easily, and soothe him and his fears when nobody else could. She was quick-witted and kindhearted, and was making an excellent firelady.
Iroh pondered the changed Katara had brought with her. She had increased the schooling opportunities for girls, something Iroh had wanted for some time, as well as meet peacably with the other nations on foreign policy. Trade with the Water tribes had never been more successful, and the Earth Kingdom and Air Nomads were more friendly as well. The Bei Fongs were frequent visitors to the palace, as were the Avatar and is wife. Lady Katara rarely left the palace, but when she did, it was usually to visit her family in the South Pole or kyoshi island where her brother and his wife resided with their brood, or aid somewhere in the fire nation. She had serviced the nation so much in such a short time.
Iroh thought of the contrast between her and Azula.
Azula's death had been a sad even for everyone but Katara took it very harshly. It took her months to come to terms that she had taken and life, and Iroh doubted she would've been able to do it if Zuko hadn't been there to comfort and support her. Zuko was upset over his sister, but he was more upset over the loss of her potential than anything else. Azula was arguably a brilliant girl with a talent for strategy and bending, but this was her undoing in the end. Her ambition had cost her life.
Iroh felt a breeze from the South the ruffled the Cherry Blossom trees softly, releasing their scent and raining the petals on the scene around him. He closed his eyes, listening to the world around him, feeling all that was in that moment.
Zuko grabbed Katara's hand, entwining their fingers as the listened to the stories of their fiery children. Zuko kissed her hair as she leaned into him, her red robes spreading out around them while Katara felt a soft kick in her stomach.
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Toph laughed loudly at Aang's panicked movements. She would've laughed longer if she hadn't been in such pain. "What do I do? What do you need?" Aang asked, frantically pacing.
Toph winced in pain as she directed him to take her to the nearest hospital. "Geez twinkletoes," she said affectionately, "I'm delivering a baby, not growing another head. It'll be fine."
Aang nodded awkwardly as they entered the hospital, their hands tightly clasped. The nurse directed them to the correct room while a doctor came to work with Toph.
"My name is Dr. Haru, I'm your wife' physician, and I'll be here for the delivery," the man said kindly. "If you would please wait outside, I'm sure you'll be more comfortable out there, Avatar Aang," he said, gesturing to the doorway.
Aang looked to Toph who was being to sweat as her breathing became more labored. "Go on Twinkletoes," she said brashly. "I can take it from here." But Aang could sense the fear and uncertainty in her voice and approached her bed with authority.
"Toph, I'm going to stay here. I want to be here with you," he said, grabbing her hand tightly.
"Fine, whatever you want, I don't care." She said wincing in pain. Aang could see the relief on her face as held her hand tightly.
The doctor worked around Aang for the next hour as the contractions became closer and close. Aang didn't let go of Toph's hand once.
She was a small baby, but a healthy one all the same, born after three hours of labor.
"Does she- can she see?" Toph whispered to Aang as tears built up in her eyes. Her voice held on the fear she hadn't expressed in the past nine months over her child and the abilities of her child. Aang held his daughter in awe of her. The newborn girl had cried softly while being cleaner, but now she simply stared at Aang, he large grey eyes observing his every movement.
"Yes," he said softly. "Would you like to hold her?"
Toph paused, unsure. She felt all the fear of being a mother crash down on her. She was responsible for this new life now. She nodded anyway. Aang placed the warm bundle in her arms and all of Toph's fears vanished.
"What do you want to name her?" Dr. Haru asked, holding the brith certificate.
Aang looked toward his wife and daughter and felt ready to burst. "Do you know, Toph?"
Toph answered without pause. "Lynn," she said simply. "That's her name."
Aang nodded in affirmation towards Dr. Haru who wrote the name and left the room so the couple could be alone.
Aang sat on the edge of the bed next to his wife and put his arm around her, kissing her forehead. "Have I ever told you how glad I am I decided to not live in the air temples like the other nomads, and marry you instead?"
Toph snorted. "Yes, but I could stand to hear it again."
A/N Wow, I didn't expect to write Toph and Aang's epilogue until I started it. Then I thought, 'this will just be a short little thing.' And then it was as long as the Zutara epilogue. Anyway, I'm working on a new story called "A Dive into the Past." It's a connection between legend of Korra and Avatar and I'm super freaking excited about it. Feel free to check it out, I've already posted the first two chapters! Please and Thank you! And Thanks for reading this story until the end, you guys are the best!
