Expansion
Chapter 7: Today Seems Like a Good Time
One Week Later
Much to Toph's delight, Fu Lin remained in prison, having made various verbal threats to Zuko, Mai and the young woman herself. Much to Toph's dismay, both her parents and Fu's were arriving shortly in the Fire Nation capitol. Zuko wanted the whole situation straightened out within a few hours and then he wanted everyone gone (Fu, for one, would not be allowed back in the Fire Nation, ever).
"I know they're your parents, Toph, but I really don't want some drawn out ordeal. We'll all set them straight and they can be on their way and take that jerk with them."
"Hey, I understand completely," she replied as she fiddled with the hair band that kept her unruly dark locks from springing out all over the place. "I don't want my mother and father to stay either."
The pair sat in Zuko's office. It was mid morning and the weak autumn sunlight streamed in through the slats of the wooden shutters. Toph's feet were on Zuko's desk and he tolerated it, mainly because there was no use in arguing with her about the habit anyway. Besides, the fact that the tough earthbender felt so at home with him and in the palace made him feel good.
A tray with the remains of tea and cookies was pushed off to one side of the huge desk and Zuko had a thick pile of correspondence in front of him. Sighing, he began to skim through the scrolls. He made a myriad of facial expressions, from smiles to winces to scowls as he read. The Fire Lord would never fully understand people and their constant complaining. Lifting his head and forgetting the letters for a minute, Zuko spoke.
"So, I've made all the arrangements for you to begin working with my royal guard and the rest of the nation's troops. You'll be working with small groups for a few weeks at a time. That will give them enough time to actually get something out of your sessions and won't leave us shorthanded anywhere. The training camp is just outside the capitol so you'll come back here every afternoon. It's completely up to you how you want to run these sessions, Toph. I trust you and you've got control."
Toph rubbed her hands together and smirked. "I'm looking forward to it and I'll be tough. But they will learn."
"Good," Zuko replied sounding confident in his friend's abilities, both as an earthbender and an instructor.
He pulled his flame shaped headpiece out of his hair and pulled out the band that held his topknot in place. Zuko disliked wearing his hair up. It was so much more comfortable down. He made contented sounds as he ran his hands through the dark brown mop.
"Tired?" Toph asked.
"Mmm," he replied. "Miyako was sick last night. So she came to bed with Mai and me and kept us awake. Mai's mood was not pretty this morning but Miyako feels better."
"Poor kid," Toph sympathized
"Yeah, she's never really been sick before. We've been lucky."
"Do you think Mai could stand a visit? I should leave you to your work."
"I don't know. She might be taking a nap."
"I guess I'll see her later then. Let me know when they arrive, okay."
"Yep, I will."
Toph pulled her feet off Zuko's desk and stood up from the padded chair she was lounging in. She adjusted her rumpled Fire Nation tunic and pants and very loudly cracked her knuckles.
"See you at the big gathering," she said with a tilt of her head.
"Yeah," Zuko replied distractedly, eyes scanning the letter on top of the pile.
With Mai possibly out of sorts, Toph decided to find Ursa instead. Zuko's mother was out in the palace grounds removing dead blossoms from the plants in her own special garden. She was pleased to see her son's good friend and put an affectionate hand on Toph's arm, giving it a quick rub.
"Did you come out here just to see me?" Ursa asked.
Her gold eyes shone with delight and her lips quirked up in a smile.
"Yep," Toph replied. "I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm good, my dear. I like working out here with the flowers. I spent a lot of time doing it during my banishment and even before. Spending time in the garden makes me feel peaceful."
"Except when the twins are out here digging and making a mess of things?" Toph asked.
The spunky earthbender let loose one of her famous cackles and Ursa grinned in response.
"Even then," Ursa replied. "I love those children more than I can say."
"I can tell," Toph answered. "And they love you. In fact, it's one big happy family around here."
"About time," Ursa stated wryly. "And Toph, I know both Zuko and Mai think of you as family."
"I love them too. They understand some things that the others can't."
"Yes, and I hear that your parents will arrive shortly."
"Lucky me," the earthbender replied sarcastically. "Are you going to meet them?"
"I must admit that I'm curious to see where you came from, so to speak. And I will defend you as well. I can understand a little bit, why your mother and father did what they did all those years ago. But I don't understand how they can possibly think of you as helpless now. They know of all that you've accomplished and they still can't see how strong you are."
Ursa shook her head in disbelief. She continued to pull deadheads from her carefully tended plants, placing them in a basket for later disposal.
"Nope, it's incredible, isn't it?"
"Then, who am I to talk? I couldn't see Azula for who she really is and I'm still struggling with it."
"Don't be too hard on yourself. I've never met anyone who can lie like Azula can. She could fool just about anybody. And you wanted to believe that she'd changed."
"Yes, so very much," Ursa replied sadly.
She wiped at tears that threatened to fall, sniffed delicately and then bent down to fiddle with another plant.
"Hey, Koga's going to be here today, isn't he?" Toph asked mischievously, as she reached out and touched one of Ursa's plants, fingering the soft velvet of a flower.
"I suppose he is," Ursa replied calmly.
Toph could feel the subtle increase in the woman's heartbeat, though, and sense the slight trembling of Ursa's hands.
"So, are you excited?"
"Why would you think that? Oh, I can't hide anything from you, can I?"
"You like him," Toph teased. "Zuko mentioned something about you and him getting along. I think it's great."
"Well, he's kind and intelligent and thoughtful and easy enough on the eyes. I would enjoy spending more time with him."
"You like him," the earthbender repeated. "You deserve someone great after all you've been through. Make sure you see him and ask him to stay for dinner again, just you and him this time."
Ursa blushed and her hand moved up to play with the pretty brown hair that hung down past her shoulders.
"I suppose that I could," she mused. "Yes, I will do that, Toph."
"Good, now it's just me who doesn't have a partner."
"Do you want one? Sometimes you strike me as the kind of woman who doesn't want to settle down anywhere for too long, someone who might have many relationships rather than marrying one man."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Toph asked.
She began to fidget, tugging on her red tunic and scratching the back of her neck.
"It just is, I suppose. If that suits you better than marriage, there's nothing wrong with it. We all want you to have a happy, fulfilling life. And I think you already do. Maybe you'll meet the right man one day and maybe you won't. You're secure enough to be on your own. I know that."
"When I saw Fu in prison, that first night he came, I told him that I'm not, uh, 'pure'."
"Oh? So you've had a relationship already?"
Toph flushed a bit and turned her head away from Ursa. The older woman put her hand on Toph's back and rubbed.
"It was last year and I don't know if I would call it a relationship. But I spent some time with a guy in Ba Sing Se. He worked in this restaurant I went to a lot. He was just an ordinary guy, not a bender or anything. But he really liked me. He wasn't worried that I'm sort of famous or that I know the Earth King and the Fire Lord and the Avatar. He just liked talking with me. I made him laugh. He was really sweet and accepted me just as I am. He didn't want to change anything. And we, well you know, a few times. Does that make me bad? My parents would be appalled."
"It doesn't make you bad, Toph. Besides, your parents seem appalled by anything you do, so don't worry. Now what happened with this young man?" Ursa asked, clearly interested.
"I left for a while, a few months I suppose, and when I got back to Ba Sing Se, he wasn't at the restaurant anymore. I don't know where he went."
"Did you miss him?"
"I guess. I don't really go in for that mushy stuff, but it was enjoyable while it lasted."
Ursa chuckled. "Oh, Toph, you'll be quite a catch for someone."
"Mai and Zuko are so good together," the earthbender observed almost wistfully. "It's like they were destined and so were Aang and Katara."
"They just happened to meet when they were quite young. I will say that Zuko and Mai were drawn to each other. I'm so happy that it all worked out for them in the end. It was a struggle, though."
"Yep, happy endings are good."
"They are," Ursa said, a contemplative look on her gentle features. "But not everyone gets one."
Mai and Miyako both dozed on the bed in the Fire Lord's chambers. The little girl was pressed tightly against her mother and Mai ran her hand over the girl's dark head. Miyako loved the feeling and snuggled even closer.
"Mommy has to get up, Miya. You're feeling much better now and we both got some sleep."
"Where you going?" she asked with a small pout.
"Toph and Daddy need me this afternoon. Midori's here. She's with your brother now."
"I wanna stay with you, Mommy."
"That's sweet, but I need to go. I'll see you again before dinner."
Mai turned over on her side and moved her legs over the edge of the huge bed. Heaving a big sigh she stood up. She was already dressed but her hair was a mess. Sitting at her dressing table, Mai began to brush her black tresses.
"Let me!" Miyako cried.
"Okay, come here then," Mai replied.
The two and a half year old stood on a sturdy footstool so she could reach. Mai handed her the brush and the little girl ran it through her mother's hair. She made no allowances for tangles and tears came to Mai's eyes a few times, but Miyako persevered. Her little tongue stuck out from her mouth and her eyes were intense with concentration.
"Done," she declared.
"Let's see," Mai said.
She ran her hands over her smooth hair and gave Miyako an appreciative smile.
"Thanks, Miya. My hair has never looked better."
The toddler was delighted. She began to brush her own hair, so much like her mother's, and played with the jewelry on the dressing table.
"Just let me put this headpiece in and then we can go," Mai told her daughter.
Grabbing hold of Miyako's hand, she took her next door where Ryuhito and Midori were busy looking at a big book of writing characters and pictures.
"There's your sister," Midori said when Mai opened the door. "She looks better and so do you," the cheerful woman greeted Mai.
"We both feel better," Mai replied. "I need to get going now but I'll be back in a few hours. I'm not sure what's happening with dinner."
"Don't worry. I can stay if you need me."
"Thank you, Midori. I'll let you know."
Mai bent down and gave her son a quick kiss on the head, then Miyako a hug.
"Bye, Mommy," they both shouted and Mai slipped out the door.
"They're at the harbor," Zuko told Mai as she entered his office.
Toph and Ursa were already there. Ursa sat patiently while Toph paced back and forth along the open area in front of the window.
"Relax, Toph. Everything will be fine. Fu's a criminal for Agni's sake. And Zuko, let me put your hair back up. You need to look like the Fire Lord."
Toph snickered and whispered, "whipped," just loud enough for Zuko to hear.
"Yeah, and I like it," he declared. "Just remember who's saving your butt this afternoon, my friend."
"Where is Koga anyway?" Toph asked. "Ursa's eager to see him."
"Toph," Ursa hissed warningly.
Mai stood behind Zuko and combed his hair back with her fingers.
"Ow, your nails are sharp," he whined.
"Oh, I could say something, but I won't," Toph laughed.
"That's good thinking, Toph," Mai replied as she gathered her husband's hair into one thick bunch and pulled it upward, skillfully putting the band around it.
Reaching for his golden crown, she inserted it at the back of his topknot and then moved to the front of the desk to admire her work.
"That's better," she stated. "Now you look like what they're expecting."
"Thanks," he said and gave Mai a dopey smile.
He spotted Koga at the door and waved the man in before he had a chance to knock. The legal and cultural expert hovered shyly for a moment before crossing the threshold. He gave Ursa a warm smile which she returned in kind.
"Everyone's here," Zuko announced. "Let's move to the main entrance where they'll come in. We can meet them there and then move into the council room. I'll be sure to put up an intimidating wall of flames."
Zuko had a brief memory of the throne room/war room (now called the council room) and the flames that the Fire Lord sat behind, separating himself from everyone. That wall of flames served its purpose. It was frightening and made both his grandfather and father seem that much more aloof. He wouldn't sit behind the flames but perhaps that mass of yellow and orange heat would make the visitors think twice about any missteps.
"You never do that," Mai interjected.
"No, but today seems like a good time."
Zuko and Mai stood side by side with Toph, showing solidarity. Both the Fire Lord's and the Fire Lady's postures spoke of quiet authority and dignity. Anger bubbled under the surface too at the affront to their dear friend. They watched quietly as the guards allowed Toph's parents, Lao and Poppy Bei Fong, along with the Lins, Ho and Park, into the foyer. The Lins wore their wealth openly, gaudy expensive silks and a lot of jewelry adorning both. They were as ordinary looking as their son, brown hair, brown eyes and nondescript faces.
Toph's parents drank in the young woman, eyes flitting up and down her body. Zuko cleared his throat and introduced himself and Mai along with Ursa and Koga. The visitors bowed. They all looked slightly nervous about being inside the seat of Fire Nation authority.
"This way," Zuko gestured. "We have much to discuss."
His royal robes swept the polished floor of the entrance as he turned. Mai linked her arm with his and tried to hide a smirk. Their guests looked suitably intimidated, just as they wanted. Zuko walked briskly and soon they were outside the council room. He pushed aside the heavy curtain and allowed Mai to pass. He followed close behind her, politely holding the curtain aside for the next person, Toph. The two guards who had followed them remained posted outside.
The walk had been silent. If the Bei Fongs had wanted to say something to their daughter, they held their tongues anyway. The guests remained silent once inside the large, dark room filled with pillars and arches. A table was set up near the middle of the wide aisle that led to the dais where the throne sat. Nine chairs sat around it, Zuko's at the head of the table. Mai sat next to him while Toph sat on his other side. Ursa and Koga were next while the Lins and Bei Fongs were furthest away from the Fire Lord.
With a look at Mai and an almost invisible gesture, Zuko made the dais blaze. The guests gasped in surprise. Zuko and Mai locked eyes again. Toph meanwhile curled her mouth up into a little smile.
Looking directly at the Lins and the Bei Fongs, Zuko spoke in a voice that brooked no argument. "Toph will not marry Fu Lin; whatever agreement you made all those years ago is null and void. Fu's attack on my wife and his repeated verbal threats during his prison stay made sure of that. No one attacks my wife and gets away with it. You, Mr. and Mrs. Lin are fortunate that he is still alive. Criminality was not part of your contract, now was it?"
The Lins shook their heads and the shock on their faces was almost comical.
"Do you really want your daughter to marry a criminal, a man who attacked a pregnant woman, my wife, a man who still threatens that woman along with me and Toph herself?"
Zuko gently kicked Mai under the table as if to tell her, 'I know you're more than capable, pregnant or not but let's use your condition to our advantage.'
The Bei Fongs shook their heads.
"Do you really want a criminal inheriting the bulk of your fortune, ruining your business reputation?"
They shook their heads again.
"I thought not," Zuko boomed. "Now, Koga will explain why your 'contract' was invalid anyway."
Koga took his time explaining about Earth Sages and Toph's obvious ability to look after herself, how the basis of the agreement they made when Toph was just an infant, never came to be. The Lins and Bei Fongs listened but didn't really hear. They were already convinced that the entire betrothal was a mistake from the beginning.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lin, I will tell you this only once; your son may go home with you today. But if he ever even as much as enters Fire Nation waters and I hear about it, he will spend the rest of his days in prison, next to my father. His name and likeness will be known by my guards and those patrolling harbors and roadways. And if he ever touches someone I love, I will kill him personally. I want you and Fu gone now. He will be waiting outside the palace gates for you. Guards will accompany you back to the harbor and your ship. Now go!"
Mai couldn't tear her eyes away from Zuko. It was a rare thing to see her husband so commanding and harsh, almost like the Fire Lords before him. She knew that he was capable, should the situation demand it, but Zuko usually preferred a gentler approach. Clearly, Fu's lunge at her had affected him deeply.
The Lins got up from their chairs shakily and backed out of the room, bowing all the while.
"Toph, how do you want to proceed now?" Zuko asked, still using his Fire Lord voice.
"I'd like to say a few words to my parents," she replied eagerly.
Poppy looked apprehensively over at Toph. Her perfectly made up face showed the stress of the day and her delicate looking, perfectly manicured hands were clasped tightly together in front of her chest.
"Take it easy, Mom," Toph began. "I've given up trying to convince you that I'm not the fragile little blind girl you seem to think I am. I don't think you'll ever realize that I'm very capable, that I can take care of myself, that I have friends, really awesome friends who do see me for who I am. Until you can do that, I don't think we have much to say to each other."
"Toph!" Lao exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. "You're upsetting your mother."
"Too bad," the earthbender retorted. "All you guys have to do is wake up, open your eyes and believe what's right in front of them. Why is that so hard? Why do you prefer a helpless daughter over who I am? Why can't you love me? Am I so terrible?"
Toph's words and the heartbreaking edge to her voice spoke to both Mai and Zuko. The Fire Lord reached for Mai's hand under the table. They looked at each other. Words weren't necessary. Both Fire Lord and Fire Lady had experiences similar to Toph's, experiences that shaped their characters far more than either liked to admit.
Zuko cleared his throat. Poppy blinked back tears and Lao looked angrily at the Fire Lord, as if the problems with his daughter were all Zuko's fault.
"I have an important job for Toph and she'll be staying with Mai and me for several months. She'll be working with the Fire Nation troops, giving them some experience against earthbending. I need your daughter. She's the best person for this job and I'm thrilled that she agreed. More than that, my wife and I are looking forward to spending time with her. She's a part of our family."
That last remark was meant to sting. And sting it did. Toph felt her parents' heartbeats pick up while Zuko and Mai saw the hurt on their faces. Ursa gave Zuko a small frown. She wanted to smooth feathers, not ruffle them.
"I think that Zuko means we care very much for Toph and want what's best for her. She is the one who needs to decide that, not you, not I, not Zuko and not Mai. We allow her to do that while you don't. I'm certain that you love Toph but you can't get past your image of her. She's a wonderful young woman and it would be tragic if you lost her for good."
"Thanks everyone," Toph interjected. "I just don't think my parents can do it. Mom and Dad, maybe it's best if you left too."
The Bei Fongs hesitated, looked over at Toph and saw the stony expression she wore, and then got up from their seats.
"Goodbye, Toph," Poppy sobbed. "If anything happens to her," she said, looking Zuko boldly in the eyes, "I will hold you responsible. She could be married and safe in Gaoling right now."
Zuko buried his face in his hands and shook his head back and forth. These people were impossible.
"Your daughter asked you to leave. I'll call an escort for you if you need it."
The couple took the hint and left the council room, giving a quick bow to Zuko out of propriety.
"Thank all the gods that's over," Toph grinned as soon as her parents were gone. "I'm hungry; how about some dinner everyone?"
"You certainly took that well," Mai remarked dryly.
"Eh, I'm used to it," the earthbender replied.
"Well, I'm glad that you're so strong," Ursa stated. "Hideo, would you stay for dinner. I'd, we'd love to have you."
"I would be honoured, Ursa," Koga replied.
"How about we take a walk in the gardens to work up an appetite?" Ursa suggested.
She flushed a bit while Zuko squirmed in his chair. Mai hid a smirk behind her hand and Toph just grinned, giving Ursa a light nudge in the ribs.
"I think the two of you should have dinner alone," the earthbender said boldly.
"Yes," Mai agreed. "You can use the smaller dining room. It's, uh, intimate. The rest of us will eat in the kitchen tonight. The twins love that, right Zuko?"
Mai gave her husband a sharp kick to the shin and he grimaced.
"Right," he agreed. "The kitchen it is."
The sun was sinking in the early evening autumn sky as Ursa and Hideo walked along the winding stone paths that snaked through the palace gardens.
"It's lovely out here," the scholar remarked. "Where's your garden, the one you were telling me about."
"We'll be there in a few minutes," Ursa replied.
"I never imagined myself ever visiting the royal palace," Hideo confessed. He adjusted his tunic, smoothing out the wrinkles, and looked around, brown eyes drinking in everything hungrily. "I suppose I look at it from a historical perspective. A lot has happened here over the years."
"Yes, a lot," Ursa replied darkly.
As they passed the fountain, Ursa recounted how Zuko and Mai spent time there when they were quite young. She pointedly avoided mentioning Azula. That was a subject she would not bring up tonight.
"So your son and daughter-in-law began their romance early," Hideo said with a smile. "They must have been strong to endure what they did and still end up together."
"What do you know of that?" Ursa asked a bit sharply.
"Oh, well, their story is pretty well known. I think most people know of your son's banishment."
"Of course; I'm sorry for the way I spoke. I suppose that I'm sensitive about my family and perhaps too protective."
"It's fine. I don't know what it's like to have children but I'm pretty sure most parents are protective."
"I suppose that they are. Anyway, yes, Mai and Zuko are both strong and together they are even stronger. They went through a lot. I think it's almost a miracle that Zuko survived at all. I owe his Uncle Iroh a debt of gratitude for sticking with Zuko all that time he was away from home."
"The great General Iroh; I would love to meet him one day. He's a legend."
"Huh, he would laugh if you called him that," Ursa said with a smile. "He's a good man, very kind and very wise and also funny."
"Fire Lord Zuko was lucky then," Hideo replied.
"You can call him Zuko. We're not rigid about things like that. Ah, here it is," Ursa exclaimed as they rounded a corner.
The turtleduck pond and the small temple came into view. Ursa's garden, which had expanded over the past few years, was lush and wild looking, full of a variety of flowers and shrubs along with miniature stone temples and animals."
"My grandchildren love these," Ursa laughed as she pointed to small dragons, hog monkeys and birds scattered among the plants.
"I can see that this garden is loved," Hideo commented.
Inwardly he groaned at the sentimentality of his comment but sometimes remarks like that seemed to fall of his tongue of their own accord. Ursa seemed pleased, though. She beamed at Hideo.
"Thank you. It is loved and I spend a lot of time here with the people I care about. Back when Zuko was young, we would feed the turtleducks. That was just about his favorite thing to do or maybe he just liked the alone time with me. I enjoyed it as well."
"And now he comes here with his children."
"Yes," Ursa stated. "Now please, let's talk about you. I feel like I've been monopolizing the conversation."
"What would you like to know?"
"Where were you born? How did you get into academics? What's your family like?"
"Okay, I was born here in the capitol city. My father was a merchant. My mother raised me and two older brothers. I always loved history and other cultures. It was difficult learning about them here back when I was a youth. I went to the university and studied for five years. Then I taught while doing research and writing for me, hoping one day, the war would end and our country would accept other peoples. I never got married. My nose was buried in a book most of the time. I traveled quite a bit after the war. Anyway, years passed and here I am. I've led a simple life with little drama but it's been good."
"It sounds wonderful," Ursa replied. "It must be time for dinner now. Are you hungry?"
"I'm always hungry," he joked.
They strode back through the garden and into the palace. Ursa led the way to the smaller dining room. The table was set for two and flowers adorned its center. Candles were lit and the wall sconces were dark.
"Hmmmm," Ursa mused as two servants entered the room carrying trays of food. "I'll bet this is Mai's and Toph's doing."
"Let's enjoy it," Hideo suggested. "Good food and flowers shouldn't go to waste."
"I agree," Ursa said happily.
They took seats and dug in.
Mai, Zuko, Toph and the twins ate curry chicken while sitting on stools in the kitchen. Ryuhito reached desperately for his cup of water and gulped it down, half running down his chin and landing in a pool on the big wooden butcher's block they sat around.
"Daddy said it was hot, Ryu," Miyako chastised as she took tiny bites of her food.
Ryuhito glared at his sister but didn't reply. Instead he reached for more water, almost knocking over the pitcher in the process.
"I'll pour it," Mai intervened. "Now, take smaller bites."
The boy heeded the advice and ate slowly, holding a piece of chicken up to his mouth and nibbling on it.
"Better?" Zuko asked with a laugh.
"Better, Daddy," Ryuhito replied.
"For a minute there you looked like Sokka," Toph said to the boy.
"No, Sokka's in a class of his own," Mai stated dryly.
"Me like Sokka," Miyako declared.
"Boomerang," Ryuhito yelled, sending Miyako into a fit of giggles.
"I like this kid," Toph stated. "He gets right to the point."
"He does," Mai agreed.
"Hey Grumpy, you were actually kind of scary today," Toph said, turning to face Zuko.
"That was my intention," he replied. "Sometimes it's necessary."
"My daddy's not scary," Miyako laughed.
"That's the best thing you could ever say to me," Zuko said to his daughter.
He bent down and gave her a kiss on the head and a quick tickle.
"Would you guys like some tea now?" Mai asked. "I would."
"Sure, I would, and maybe something sweet too," Toph suggested.
Mai put her hand on her belly for a second and then eased herself off the stool. She set to making tea and finding some biscuits or pastries.
"I'll do it," Zuko said, standing up as well.
He wrapped and arm around Mai's disappearing waist and pulled her back to him, placing a kiss on her neck.
"Why don't we go to the sitting room for tea? It's more comfortable. I'll bring everything. You guys go."
"Thanks," Mai whispered to her husband.
"Awww, isn't he sweet," Toph exclaimed as they left the kitchen and walked down the hall toward the sitting room.
"He can be," Mai agreed.
The twins ran ahead and then back, grabbing hold of their mother's hands.
"There's Grandma!" Miyako shrieked as they passed the small dining room.
Ursa turned her head and waved at the little girl who was trying her best to dart into the room.
"No," Mai said sternly. "Grandma's having a private dinner with her friend. You'll see her tomorrow."
"Awww," Miyako pouted, her lower lip sticking out adorably.
"Tomorrow," Mai reiterated.
They entered the sitting room. Only one wall sconce was lit so the room was dim.
"Firebenders really do come in handy," Mai stated. "Your father will light the lamps when he gets here."
"Whatever," Toph joked. "It's all the same to me."
The twins huddled beside Mai on a couch while Toph stretched out in a big armchair. Zuko arrived a few minutes later, put the tray down on the table and lit up the room.
"That's better," he said to the twins and then proceeded to pour tea for everyone.
"No more than two cookies each," Mai instructed the children. "You've been eating a lot of them lately."
"Well, I can eat as many as I like," Toph grinned and scooped up a handful.
"Aww, Mommy, Toph took 'em all," Ryuhito whined.
"No she didn't. Here," Mai replied, handing the boy his two cookies.
"So your mom looked like she was enjoying herself, Zuko," Toph remarked. "Did you see her?"
"No, I was too busy trying not to drop the tray."
"Well, she and Koga were very cozy looking."
"What do you mean 'cozy'?" Zuko asked.
"Easy, Zuko," Mai said softly, putting a hand on his back. "Toph's just trying to get you going. You make it so easy for everyone. Your mom and Koga were enjoying their dinner…that's all. Besides, it's none of our business what they do."
"Oh, Agni," Zuko moaned. "I don't want to think about it."
"Then don't," Mai said matter of factly.
"Yeah, right," Toph declared. "Zuko won't be able to get that out of his head."
"Let's change the subject," the Fire Lord suggested. "Toph, are you excited about your new job?"
"Oh, yes, I can't wait to start."
"When do you?" Mai asked.
The blind earthbender turned to Zuko and raised the brows above her milky green eyes.
"Next week, I think," Zuko replied.
"Will I be able to watch one day?" Mai continued.
"Sure, I'll come with you. I want to see how Toph handles it too."
"I will blow both of you away," Toph said confidently.
"I'm not worried," Zuko stated.
Toph suddenly looked serious. "Um, I want to thank you for everything you did today and for finding a position for me. You two are great."
"No problem," Mai smiled. "I'm glad we could help."
"You can always come here for help," Zuko assured his friend.
"I know," Toph said.
"I'm tired," Miyako announced. "Wanna sleep."
"Hey, you guys put the kids to bed. We can talk tomorrow. Actually, I'm a little tired too."
"You're sure?" Mai asked.
"Yessss, go," Toph replied.
Both Miyako and Ryuhito clambered up onto Toph's lap and gave her an affectionate hug.
"Goodnight guys," she whispered, hugging them back.
"It's been quite a day," Zuko said with a yawn as they walked down the corridor that led to their living quarters.
"It has," Mai agreed.
"Is Toph stayin', Daddy?" Ryuhito asked.
"Yep, for a long time," Zuko replied with a grin.
"Yay," Miyako shouted. "Toph is fun."
"She is," Mai stated succinctly. "I'm glad she'll be around."
"Here we are," Zuko announced as they turned a corner.
Shinji was ready to begin his nighttime shift and the children greeted him happily. He smiled in return, reaching down to give them each a pat on the head.
"Okay, let's get you ready for bed," Zuko said, pushing open the door.
After a quick bath, the kids very proudly pulled on their own pajamas and cleaned their teeth, then jumped up into their beds.
"Mommy, where's baby gonna sleep?" Miyako asked, reaching out and touching Mai's belly.
"Well, in Mommy's and Daddy's room for a few weeks. We need to fix up another room for him or her. And when you two are older, you'll get your own rooms too."
"Or the baby can have this room and we can fix up two rooms, one for Miyako and one for Ryuhito," Zuko mused.
"We'll decide that later," Mai replied. "But the baby needs to stay close to me for awhile."
"Time for sleep; your eyes are drooping," Zuko observed.
"Goodnight," Mai and Zuko said, giving each child a kiss.
Zuko put out the lights and pulled the door closed behind him.
"Finally," Mai groaned appreciatively as she sunk into the soft mattress of their bed and pulled the covers up over herself.
"Agreed," Zuko said, yawning again. "Tiring day, but productive; what are you doing tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure. I can only think about sleep right now."
"So, Mai, did I handle everything okay today?"
Mai sighed, impatient with her husband's display of low self esteem.
"You were perfect," she soothed. "Everything worked out, right?"
"Yeah."
"I hope this Hideo guy's alright."
"Your mother can handle herself. After Ozai, Hideo should be pretty straightforward. And I really like him."
"I like him too. But I don't want her to get hurt again."
"If she does, she'll survive. Now, stop worrying and go to sleep. Put your arms around me. It feels good."
"Yes, dear," Zuko chuckled and dutifully wrapped solid arms around his wife, pulling her as tight against him as he could.
He kissed her neck softly.
"How's the baby?" he asked as he moved one hand down to Mai's bump.
"I think she's sleeping now. She was moving around before."
"She?"
"I hate saying 'it' or 'he or she' all the time so I decided on 'she'."
"Hmmmm, so you think it's a girl?"
"Maybe," Mai replied with a laugh.
"Another little Mai," Zuko said dreamily. "I like that idea."
"Sap," Mai said but she was smiling in the dark.
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing!
There's a lot coming up in the next few chapters. Toph begins her new position (and continues to provide laughs for her friends). Uncle Chung will visit. Akira and Hoshi have something in mind for Tomiko which will upset Mai and Zuko a bit. The twins will continue to develop. And of course, Mai will have the baby eventually.
Alabaster