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Chapter Ten: It Will Become a Battle
"It's from Aang and Katara," Zuko grinned. "They've got some interesting news."
"Well, what is it," Mai snapped, her fatigue getting the better of her.
"Shall I read the letter to you or just get to the main point."
"Read the letter," Mai sighed, anticipating a series of cheery and optimistic anecdotes from the avatar. He was older but hadn't lost his ability to see the good in almost everything and everyone.
"Okay, don't worry, it's not too long."
Zuko picked up the scroll again and began to read.
Dear Zuko and Mai,
Katara and I hope that you're both doing well, especially Mai with the baby and everything. I'll bet the twins are even more adorable.
We're on Kyoshi Island right now, visiting Sokka, Suki and baby Jian*. He' so much bigger than the last time we saw him. Sokka guards him like the world's greatest treasure (which of course, he is to Sokka and Suki, right).
We spent some time with Ty Lee too. She and Gen seem very close. She's even more bubbly than usual. I see another wedding in the future.
Speaking of weddings...Katara and I won't be having one because we're already married! Last week, we were visiting Guru Pathik and while we were sitting watching the sunset, Katara looked at me and I looked at her and we decided right then to have Pathik marry us at the Eastern Air Temple. It's not that we don't love our family because we do. We just figured that it would be easier for you guys with Mai being pregnant and easier for Sokka and Suki because of the new baby.
Besides, it was so beautiful there and the time seemed right.
We would like to visit you, though, after we leave Kyoshi. We should arrive in a few days. Then we'll move on to the South Pole to spend time with the rest of Katara's family.
We're really looking forward to seeing all of you,
Love,
Aang and Katara
"That's unexpected," Mai remarked dryly. "Not them getting married, but them not having a huge wedding, Aang being the Avatar and all."
"I loved our wedding but there were moments when eloping seemed very attractive," Zuko recalled.
"Mmmmmm," Mai mused, "but it was worth it. I suppose we should have some sort of celebration…..a nice dinner."
"Good idea, we'll do that; something the kids can enjoy too."
"I'm sure Ursa will help me. We can come up with a menu together and talk to the cooks. And we'll decorate the large dining room. Now, I've got two things to work on tomorrow."
"I would help but my day's kind of full. I've got two meetings plus quite a few letters I need to write. Don't overdo it, okay. We've got lots of help."
"Zuko, I am not an invalid. I'll be fine. I was fine last time, remember?"
"I know, I know, but I worry anyway. It's a hard habit to break."
"Hey, do Aang and Katara know that Toph's here too?"
"Um, I'm not sure."
"If they stopped in Gaoling, I would have paid to see Toph's parents explaining what happened or making up another story."
"They're going to keep that entire incident quiet," Zuko asserted. "It ended up being quite an embarrassment for everyone but Toph."
"Her parents and mine should form some sort of club," Mai drawled. "They could talk about their delinquent children."
Zuko sniggered. "Add Ozai and it would be perfect."
"Thank Agni for your mother," Mai said with a small smile. "She gives me hope for the institution of parenthood. Anyway, are you coming to bed now?"
"Yeah," Zuko answered as he began to take off his clothes, placing them on the back of the chair.
He pulled on his sleep pants and then cleaned his teeth and face before joining Mai under the covers. He put the lights out and lay on his back with his arms folded across his stomach.
"What are you thinking about?" Mai asked.
Zuko always slept curled around her, so it was obvious that something was on his mind.
"You," he replied, smiling in the dark. "And our children and how I want them so badly to be happy and well adjusted. I don't want them to ever go through anything like what we did or our friends did."
"They'll be fine. Miya and Ryu are already awesome. Look at all the great people who care about them. We never had that. They are very fortunate."
"Yeah, you're right," he replied, turning around and snuggling against Mai. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you back," she replied, grabbing hold of Zuko's hands and holding on tight.
The next day flew by in a flurry of activity. Zuko was stuck in the council room all morning while Mai and Ursa, twins in tow, decided on a menu, taking Aang's vegetarianism into consideration. They spoke to the kitchen staff which would have to purchase any ingredients that weren't on hand plus make any dishes ahead of time that they could.
In the huge formal dining room, they chose linens and tableware then took a walk in the garden where the twins helped choose the flowers that would grace the large table. By that time it was lunch and Zuko joined them, in a somewhat sour mood. While his meetings themselves were productive, with both the council member in charge of health and the one in charge of industry making detailed and informative reports, Zuko had found his eyes drawn to Mai's father, Hoshi, over and over again. The urge to dismiss him was great, but in the end that would only hurt Tomiko all the more. So Zuko gritted his teeth and glared instead. Hoshi looked right back, a subtle smirk on his face.
"It was like he was saying, 'You may have my daughter, but you won't get my son'," Zuko told Ursa and Mai.
"And Tomiko is caught in the middle of all this," Ursa added. "He's a sweet child and he doesn't deserve to be sent away."
"They think that they're doing him a favor," Mai remarked with a roll of her eyes. "We are corrupting him, after all."
"I suppose Akira never mentioned anything to you, did she, Mom?" Zuko asked. "You two were getting along, right?"
"Not about sending Tom away to school, but she would make the odd remark about, well, traditions and being proper."
"What are we going to do when they want to see Miyako and Ryuhito?" Zuko asked, staring expectantly at his wife.
The twins looked up from their food when they heard their names. Suddenly the conversation was interesting to them.
"Let them," Mai shrugged. "But if they start badmouthing you or me, the children or our friends anymore than they've already done, I'll just have to deny them visits for awhile."
"So, you two," Zuko said, looking at his children and changing the depressing subject matter, "are you looking forward to seeing Aang and Katara?"
They both nodded vigorously and grinned at each other. Dressed in similar pale red short sleeved tunics over deep red long sleeved shirts and burgundy pants, Miyako's hair in a ponytail and Ryuhito's shorter hair in a topknot, the twins looked adorable as only toddlers can.
"I wanna see Appa and Momo," Ryuhito stated firmly.
"Me too," Miyako agreed. "I brush Appa's hair."
"I'm sure Aang won't have a problem with that," Mai said drolly. "You do such a great job with mine."
"Can we feed him?" Ryuhito asked hopefully.
"Sure," Zuko replied.
"When they coming?" Miayko asked.
"Probably tomorrow," Mai replied. "But that's not for certain. It could be the next day. And I think they're only staying for a few days."
"So spend all the time with Appa that you can," Ursa encouraged the pair. "I'm hoping for another ride myself."
"Ah, don't even ask," Mai warned the twins. "You're too young for a ride on Appa."
Both children looked disappointed. Miyako pouted and glared at Mai.
"I don't see why you can't sit on his back while he walks around, though," Mai added. "As long as his feet are on the ground, it's okay."
"Your mother's right," Zuko added, quick to show his wife support. "It's very hard holding on up in the air, even with Appa's saddle. When you're a little older, you can take a ride. I'm sure Aang will let you sit on him. That's the best we can do."
Appeased a little, the children went back to their food, swinging their legs happily under the table and talking between themselves.
"Oh, Mai, I forgot to ask; is it alright if Hideo comes to the dinner?" Ursa said. "I realize he doesn't know Aang or Katara but…."
Mai just raised her eyebrows and looked at the woman pointedly.
"I'll take that as a yes," Ursa stated. "He'll be thrilled to meet them both."
"Sorry everyone, but I need to get back to work," Zuko groaned as he pushed back his chair.
He gave everyone a kiss. Miyako giggled as she watched her daddy go around the table planting kisses on everyone.
"You're funny, Daddy," she exclaimed.
"Oh, really," he replied and walked back around, giving her another kiss. "I'll see you all at dinner time."
"Well, it's just us again, Mai. Shall we get to work on those rooms?"
"Yeah, come on kids. Let's go look at your new bedrooms."
The children left the dining room ahead of Mai and Ursa. They held hands as they walked down the hallway back to the residential wing of the palace. Watching the pair, their dark heads bobbing and their sturdy legs taking little steps, happy laughter drifting back to her, Mai was filled with anticipation for the birth of the new addition to their family.
Zuko looked anything but regal as he sat behind his desk, a small smudge of ink smeared across one cheek and his hair falling messily into his eyes. He still struggled to find the right words sometimes, words that expressed exactly what he meant in a diplomatic, non -condescending, authoritative but not too authoritative way. Mai was better at writing those pesky letters that were part of almost every one of his days as Fire Lord. But Zuko couldn't rely on his wife to complete all his correspondence so he plodded on, revising and revising, until he either got too tired to care anymore or so angry that he incinerated attempt after attempt.
He snapped his head upward as the sound of an insistent knock on the heavy, ornately carved wooden door of his office broke his flimsy concentration.
"What is it?" he asked irritably. "I'm busy."
"I'm sorry to disturb you my lord, but Councilman Matsuo** insists on speaking with you."
"Great," Zuko muttered sarcastically under his breath. "Send him in," he replied in a booming voice.
Mai's father opened the door and stood unmoving just inside the room. He looked straight ahead, a blank expression on his face.
"Go ahead and sit," the Fire Lord said, indicating the chair opposite him. "Why are you here?"
Zuko ran ink stained fingers through his hair and waited for Hoshi to speak.
"Tomiko is going away to school no matter what you think and no matter how much you or he may protest against it. Akira and I both feel that it's the best thing for him." Hoshi lifted his head imperiously as if daring Zuko to say anything. "He's very impressionable and needs good influences in his life."
All that was said without taking a breath and seemed rehearsed. Finally exhaling, Hoshi looked at Zuko and waited. Rage immediately flooded the Fire Lord at the man's insinuation.
"He does have good influences; all kinds of them. Remember, your influence will now be lost too."
"The school he will be attending shares our philosophy and he will be isolated from the more liberal, anti traditional atmosphere around the palace. Don't get me wrong, Zuko, you've done some good and have grown into your leadership, but your disregard for the old ways never sat well with me. It all began with Mai and you living as man and wife before marriage. You've never looked back since."
"You're still hung up on that?" Zuko asked with disbelief. "Time to let go, don't you think?"
"That decision set a precedent for your behavior," Hoshi observed, stroking his bearded chin nervously.
"What is all this really about?" Zuko roared. "Are you jealous that Tom enjoys spending time here with me and with Mai and our children? Are you jealous that he cares for my mother and for our friends? Are you really that small a person? I see your relationship with your son becoming like your relationship with Mai. You're taking him away from all that he loves because I don't share the same beliefs as you. The world is full of different beliefs and ways of life; that's one of many things I learned during my banishment. I love the Fire Nation and I love my people. But we were wrong and many of our traditions were wrong. I've worked hard to set things right while keeping the better part of ourselves. Why do you want to take Tomiko away from that and put him back ten years?"
"Who says you are right? Your love of freedom and the right to speak openly should allow me my own opinions too?"
Zuko nodded. "Yes, you are free to think and do as you please. And I value your input in the council. It just seems that you're punishing Tomiko and Mai and I because of those beliefs. I was sent away from my home for no good reason and I struggled with that for years. I don't want Tomiko to think he's done wrong. I don't want him to feel abandoned. I know he's not my child, but I love him and want him to be happy. Don't you want that too?"
"I want him to be strong, a good, proud Fire Nation citizen. His happiness will come from that."
"I give up," Zuko sighed. "I could stop you from sending Tom away but that would make me like my father. So I won't. But don't think that Mai and I won't do everything in our power to make Tom's time away as pleasant as possible. And you can't do anything about that. I just hope that when he does come home again, he'll be the same great kid that he is now."
"Fine; we understand each other, then."
"I suppose that we do. You can leave now, Hoshi," the Fire Lord directed dismissively. "I don't want to see you until the next meeting."
Mai's father stood and exited the room quickly without looking back. Zuko stared down at the mound of paper on his desk and grimaced. Gritting his teeth, he fought the urge to knock them all to the floor.
Toph strolled down the hallway and enjoyed the feel of soft carpeting underneath her filthy feet. Her robes were coated with dirt too and little clouds of dust rose from them when she moved quickly. In other words, it was the perfect ending to a perfect day for Zuko's newest employee.
She gave Ming a bright smile before knocking on the nursery door.
"Come in," Mai called.
Toph entered, but stood just inside the doorway. Even she had enough consideration not to dirty up the room. The children looked up from the pile of toys and books they had on the floor and grinned.
"Mommy, Toph's all dirty," Miyako giggled.
"That's normal for her," Mai replied with a laugh.
"I just want to know if we're all eating together," Toph said.
"Yeah, sure," Mai replied. "Are you actually going to clean up first?"
"I thought about washing my hands at least," Toph joked. "Did you get things organized for the dinner?"
"All taken care of," Mai answered. "We even got a wedding gift. It can be from you too, Toph."
"Oh, what is it?"
"It's a really beautiful tapestry that they can take anywhere if they want to."
"Sounds nice; thanks. Hey kids, what are you doing with your things?"
"We packing them for the new rooms," Miyako replied proudly.
"You're getting ready to move so the baby can stay here, huh."
"Yep, this is baby's room," Ryuhito stated firmly. "Mommy says we can move after three more sleeps."
"That's awesome," Toph stated enthusiastically. "Anyway, I need to go wash and change these robes."
"Okay, we'll see you at dinner."
"Bye," the twins called, giving Toph a wave that she felt rather than saw.
"Now, let's get these things into the boxes and then wash our hands up."
Books and cloth animals and blocks and marbles were all put into boxes, ready to move down the hall at any time. The small beds that the twins slept in now would be put into storage for the new baby while they graduated to adult size beds. Bright, cheerful linens and light sheers were already in their 'grown up' rooms. All that remained was to move their clothes and toys and pick out some new furniture.
"All done," Miyako cried as she picked up the last block and shoved it into a box.
She sprang up from the carpet and ran to the bathroom. Ryuhito followed close behind while Mai struggled to get up from her cross legged position. Putting a hand on the nearby table, she levered herself off the floor and then joined the twins.
"Hey," Mai said as Zuko entered the dining room still wearing his formal robes. "Did you get lost in the exciting world of epistles?"
"Hey," he replied and bent down to kiss her cheek.
He greeted everyone else and then took his seat. He served himself while Mai poured him a cup of tea. She took note of the stress around his eyes and his rumpled appearance
"Well?" Mai asked.
"Oh, yeah, I got a lot of work done but I also had a visitor. We'll talk about it later."
Nodding, Mai went back to her meal.
"How was everyone's day?" the Fire Lord asked. "Toph, was your second day of training good?"
"Oh man, I think I melted their brains and their bodies today. But they improved; only a little bit, but it's better than nothing. The rain last night made it really interesting. I could hear these hug splats of mud hitting everyone. They'll have dirt in their hair for days."
Toph laughed at the memory, throwing her whole body into it, leaning back in her chair and slapping her knees.
"Someone likes her new job," Mai remarked understatedly.
"Oh, yeah, it's like a dream come true."
"How about the rest of you; how did the day go?" Zuko asked everyone else.
"We managed to squeeze in a short shopping trip and got Aang and Katara a gift. I'll show you after dinner. The kids' things are packed up. And their new rooms are coming along."
"We didna have a nap," Miayko boasted. "I'm a big girl."
"You'll be a crabby girl soon," Mai said under her breath.
"They were both very helpful," Ursa added.
"Good," Zuko replied distractedly.
He put food into his mouth, chewed and swallowed all without really tasting anything. Zuko's encounter with Hoshi was still very much on his mind.
"What's with you, Grumpy?" Toph asked, giving him a hard kick under the table.
"Nothing," he replied sharply.
"Mai," Toph continued. "You need to find out what's bothering your husband. We don't want him all miserable tomorrow."
"Oh, I'll take care of it," she smirked in reply.
Servants cleared away the dishes and brought in fresh, piping hot jasmine tea along with a tray of fruit and some small cakes. Mai handed each child a helping of fruit and watched them gobble it down before offering a cake. Zuko waved away the tray but took some more tea, sipping it reflectively as he watched everyone else eat.
"These cakes are great," Toph exclaimed. "They almost taste spicy."
"A lot of Fire Nation baking has a hint of spice," Ursa replied. "It provides a nice contrast to the sweetness."
"More," Miyako demanded.
Zuko gave her a stern look and she immediately corrected herself.
"Could I have more please?"
"One and then it's time to get ready for bed," Mai replied.
Miyako strained to reach the tray with the pretty looking cakes.
"Here you are, dear," Ursa said, picking up a cake and placing it on the little girl's plate.
"Thanks, Grandma," Miyako said hurriedly before stuffing the cake into her mouth.
"She really is another Sokka," Toph laughed.
"I not Sokka," the girl protested. "I a girl."
"Are you sure?" Toph asked.
"Yees," Miyako answered and began to laugh. "He a boy," she said, pointing to her brother.
"Alright, I'm just checking," Toph stated with mock seriousness.
"I'm done, Mommy," Miyako yawned.
"I'm going to get them to bed," Mai told everyone at the table, not wanting the twins to fall alseep at the table.
"I'll come too," Zuko offered. "Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Toph."
"See ya, Grumpy. Try to improve that mood."
Zuko glared at Toph, forgetting for the umpteenth time that she couldn't see.
"I'll work on it," he replied testily.
"Well, Ursa, looks like it's just you and me," the earthbender said, turning to Zuko's mother. "How about you and I have something a little stronger to drink?"
Ursa laughed and shook her head. "I'll see what I can dig up."
The twins were bathed and safely tucked into their beds, asleep even before Zuko extinguished the lights. Mai stretched her back and groaned softly as the couple entered their own room. Sighing she sat on the sofa and pulled of her shoes, tossing them carelessly to one side.
"Why am I so damn tired?" she aked.
"You've been busy, Mai," Zuko answered softly. "Let me get the bath ready for you and I'll tell you about what happened."
"I can't argue with that," she replied as she accepted Zuko's helping hand.
He filled the huge tub with water and then heated it as Mai undressed, slipping into the warmth with a contented moan. Zuko kneeled behind her and picked up the rinsing cup, filling it up and then wetting Mai's sleek black hair. He then chose a vanilla scented shampoo and gently washed her thick tresses. His strong fingers dug into her scalp just enough to feel good and Mai leaned back into the touch.
"Are you going to start talking soon?" she prodded. "This is wonderful but you're just putting things off."
"Yeah," he said, rinsing her hair. "It's just your father. He paid me a little visit this afternoon."
Mai stiffened immediately and Zuko moved his fingers down to her shoulders and back, rubbing the muscles into submission.
"It was the same old thing; he vowed that Tom will go to this school no matter how the kid feels and no matter how we feel. He's so sure that we're harming your brother somehow and I'm really beginning to resent that. We've been nothing but good to Tomiko. It's not like we're trying to brainwash him or turn him against your parents. We just want to spend time with him."
"Sometimes I really wish that I could hurt them, just a little bit," Mai said in a tone that was only partially joking. "The more I think about it, Zuko, the less I want my parents around Miyako and Ryuhito."
"I have to agree."
"They're losing all sense of perspective. This whole 'tradition' thing has become like an obsession. I don't think either my mom or my dad could just sit down and play with the kids and not make some sort of nasty comment about either them or us. None of us meet their standards for propriety and I'll be damned if I let my mother dig her claws into our kids. I thought maybe it could work. I guess I hoped that it would. I honestly think it's impossible for them to just enjoy the kids."
"It will become a battle you know. They'll dig in even harder with Tomiko."
"I know," Mai sighed. "I wish we could do something for him. I hope my brother doesn't just lie down and take it. I hope he can hold on to himself."
"He's a pretty strong little boy."
"In ten days he'll be gone; just like that," Mai stated, snapping her fingers. "My parents' eyes must have lit up when they heard about that school."
"I'll bet."
Zuko reached for a towel and helped Mai out of the deep tub. He wrapped it around her and then grabbed a smaller one for her hair.
"Thanks," Mai said gratefully, giving her husband a quick kiss on the lips. She dried off, slipped into a robe and began to comb out her damp hair. "You're not having a bath?"
"I'll have a quick one in the morning. I just want to sleep now."
"Hey, tomorrow will be a good day," she promised.
Zuko nodded. "Yes, and I have a plan to make it even better."
The twins literally trembled with excitement when they heard Appa's bellow resonate through the courtyard. Zuko rested a hand on each little head, preventing them from running up to the massive beast before he had a chance to land. A splotch of yellow and a splotch of blue were all they could see of Aang and Katara, but their figures became quickly clearer as the sky bison made his approach. The newlyweds waved happily at the small waiting group and then slipped off the beloved animal, Aang giving his bison's nose a rub before gliding over to meet his friends.
The Avatar, as tall as Zuko now, more muscle bound but still very lean, held tightly on to Katara's hand. He let go reluctantly to give both Mai and Zuko hugs. The Fire Lord returned it with vigor while Mai tentatively patted the nineteen year old's back. Spotting two eager and beautiful faces looking up at him, Aang knelt down and embraced the twins, exclaiming about just how much they had grown over the last few months.
Katara, with Momo on her shoulder, smiled warmly at Mai and Zuko and then moved in for her hugs. The waterbender's brown hair was loose aside from her traditional hair loops and she wore a functional dark blue tunic over similar colored pants. Her mother's necklace still graced her neck (though the ribbon had been replaced a few times) and she wore a simple bracelet of silver on her left wrist.
"Oh, Mai, you look absolutely amazing," she declared and Mai blushed just a little bit.
"Thanks," the Fire Lady replied.
"Come here, Zuko," the waterbender ordered and Zuko moved forward, embracing his friend.
"I see you're taking very good care of Mai," she whispered in Zuko's ear.
"Uh, ye, yeah," he stuttered. "Congratulations on your marriage. We were a little surprised to get your news."
"We were surprised too," Aang said with a wide smile. "But it was the right decision."
Momo skittered down Katara's body and moved over to the twins, eyeing them cautiously but with curiosity too. Delighted, both Miyako and Ryuhito lay down on the ground and looked directly into the lemur's big green eyes. He chattered happily and began to play with Ryuhito's topknot, eventually pulling it loose and running away with the red band, looking back to see if the twins would chase him.
"Hey," the little boy yelled and ran after the lemur, trying to grab onto its long enticing tail.
"Momo, bring that back," Aang chastised.
He hesitated for a moment but then handed the band back to Ryhuhito who gave the animal an affectionate hug. Miyako joined her brother and gave the lemur a hug too. She was captivated by the creature and stroked his white coat softly. Momo closed his eyes and tilted his head toward the girl as if inviting her to scratch his large ears. She obliged and giggled when Momo began to play with her hair.
"True love," Mai drawled as she watched her children.
"Why don't you come see Appa?" Aang invited the twins.
"Yay," they cried but they both looked over at Mai and Zuko, waiting for permission.
"Go ahead," Mai said with a smile.
The pair dashed over to the resting bison and reached out timidly with their hands. Appa snorted gently, blowing warm air out of his nostrils. He did it again and the twins burst into fits of laughter, the air tickling their faces. Appa's huge tongue licked them both at once and Ryuhito and Miyako fell screaming to the ground, holding their sides. Their laughter was contagious. Ursa, who just entered the courtyard, smiled at the cheerful scene, children and adults all giggling like maniacs.
"Am I interrupting?" she joked.
"Ursa!" Katara said happily and ran over to give the woman a hug.
"Hello dear," Ursa greeted the healer warmly, giving her a tight squeeze and then pulling back to gaze at the young woman. "You look wonderful. Marriage agrees with you."
"Thanks," Katara replied. "You're glowing yourself."
"Yes, you'll meet the reason why later."
"Ooooh, a man?" the waterbender inquired, tucking her windswept brown hair behind her ears
"Wait and see," Ursa teased.
The two women joined Mai and then moved over beside Appa, where Aang and Zuko were talking and the children still played.
"Your children are great!" Aang exclaimed as the two men watched them.
"We love them," Zuko replied with a crooked smile. "You look happy Aang, well even happier than usual."
"I married the girl I fell in love with as soon as I set eyes on her. So, yes, I'm very happy."
"I'm glad. You are one person who truly deserves happiness. Hey, Toph's here too. Did you know that?"
"No, we didn't. Katara and I stopping in Gaoling but there was no one at her parents' home except servants."
"So you don't know the story. I'll let Toph fill you in on that; but she'll be here with us for months. She's training my guard and my troops. She needed a good reason to stay and I gave her one. Toph's doing a great job. She just started the other day."
"What's this about Toph?" Katara asked.
"She's here with Zuko and Mai," Aang replied with a grin. "Isn't that great?"
"Oh, so that's where she got off to."
"Has she got a story to tell you," Mai stated.
"Hmmm, that sounds intriguing," Katara mused.
"Mommy," Miyako said, tugging on Mai's robes. "We feed Appa now? He hungry."
"He is?" Mai asked, her eyes wide with mock surprise.
"Yes," Miyako giggled. "He tell me."
"You'll have to ask Aang, Miya."
The little girl dutifully moved over to Aang, tugged on his robes and repeated the question.
"Well, if Appa told you that he's hungry, you had better feed him. Is there hay in the usual spot, Zuko?"
"Yeah, everything's all set for him."
"Come with us, Zuko," Aang suggested.
"Go," Mai said and gave her husband a gentle push. "Katara, would you like to freshen up in your room?"
"I would," the waterbender replied.
"I'll go with Zuko," Ursa said when Mai looked to her. "See you all later."
"So," Mai began as they strode across the courtyard and toward the palace, "quiet wedding."
"You could say that," Katara replied. "It was everything I wanted, though."
Mai nodded. "How does your family feel about it?"
"I can't deny that Sokka was a little disappointed. And my father and grandmother will no doubt feel the same way."
"They'll get over it," Mai stated with surety. "We've got a little celebration planned. I hope that's okay."
"Really? That's sweet."
"It's just a dinner for tonight. But we wanted to do something for you."
"Thanks, Mai. "
"Sure."
"Ursa looks really good, doesn't she?"
"Yes, she's doing well. Azula gave her quite a jolt a few weeks ago, but she's getting better."
"What do you mean?" Katara asked, narrowing her startlingly blue eyes.
"My old friend has returned to her old self, if you know what I mean. She hasn't changed at all from the girl she was. There's no hope of her ever being part of our family in any real sense. She was cruel and scary and if she ever gets out somehow, I would be terrified for Zuko, Ursa, the children and myself."
"Wow! So she's completely in control of herself again?"
"Yep; poor Ursa thought Azula could change for the better. She was really devastated."
"That's so sad," Katara remarked.
Her voice was filled with compassion for the woman she had a special bond with.
"It is," Mai agreed. "But at least we know now where things stand with her. We can never ever trust Azula."
"So, you've got about three months left before the baby arrives, right?" the waterbender asked brightly after a quiet moment, eager to change the subject.
Mai put her hands over her belly protectively and gave Katara a wry smile.
"Sometimes I think that she wants to come out now. She kicks me all the time."
"You think it's a girl?"
"I'm not sure why, but I do, yeah."
Inside the palace now, the two women walked down a series of windowed hallways and into the residential wing. Mai opened the door to Katara's room and pointed out the towels, soaps and shampoos.
"I only have this small bag," Katara stated, dropping the dark blue pack onto a chair.
"You can borrow some robes for tonight if you like," Mai offered.
"I might do that," Katara replied with a smile.
"Lunch is in about two hours," Mai informed her friend. "I'm going to check things in the kitchen."
"Alright, I'll see you in two hours."
Katara stretched out on the bed for a few minutes, reveling in the luxury of a thick mattress and fine quality linens. Humming to herself, she entered the bathroom and began to wash up. She smiled happily at her reflection.
Timidly at first and then with more confidence, the twins held out little clumps of hay for Appa. The bison was slouched down as low as he could go in order to reach the food. Sometimes he airbended the hay into his mouth, both children amazed at his 'trick'. Ursa stood by Appa's side, talking quietly to him and moving her hands rhythmically up and down the wide expanse of white fur. The animal let out contented snorts in between bites.
Keeping an eye on his children, Zuko spoke with Aang in a far corner of the massively sized stall.
"So, he's not allowed to even write letters to you?" Aang asked with surprise.
"No, they're completely isolating Tom."
"That's awful," the Avatar replied sympathetically. "I wish I could help."
"There is something you can do," Zuko said with a sly grin. "Will you sign a letter that I plan on writing as soon as we go inside? I want Tomiko here tonight. I figured a formal invitation from both the Avatar and the Fire Lord will be impossible for his parents to reject."
Aang's big grey eyes lit up and he mirrored his friend's grin.
"Good idea, Zuko. You're really smart sometimes."
"Hey, I'm smart lots of times."
Yeah, sure you are," Aang agreed, scratching his bald head.
"You two look like you're conspiring," Ursa said as she approached the pair, one child on each side of her.
"Zuko told me about Tom. We're making sure that he's here for our dinner tonight. That sounds great by the way. Thanks."
"It was Mai's idea," Ursa said modestly. "What are you doing about Tomiko, Zuko?"
"I'm just sending him a very formal invitation to tonight's dinner. Aang's going to sign it too. And Tom will have to stay the night because our little party will go on quite late."
"Ah, good thinking," Ursa complimented her son.
"That's what I said," Aang declared.
"Why are you acting like it's a rare thing for me to come up with a good idea?"
"I'm sure you have many good ideas," Ursa said patronizingly.
She patted Zuko on the back and then whispered, "I'm just kidding you, dear. You're a very intelligent man."
"Um, thanks, I think."
"Is Appa finished eating?" Aang asked the twins, bending down to look them in the eyes.
"He all done, Aang," Ryuhito replied.
"Good job," the Avatar stated.
"Why don't you go and get that letter taken care of," Ursa suggested to the two men. "I'll make sure the twins are inside and cleaned up for lunch."
"We pat Appa more?" Miyako pleaded. "And Momo?"
The lemur appeared in the stall, wrapping his tail around Aang's leg. Miyako dropped to the ground again, trying to gain the small animal's attention. He climbed up onto her tiny shoulder, face peering over the top of her head. She jumped up quickly and Momo squawked his protest, hanging on to her long hair rather than jumping off.
"Stay, Momo," Aang told his animal friend. "Zuko and I are going inside."
Momo answered with a cock of his head and a series of soft noises. Aang and Zuko left, the Fire Lord rubbing little heads affectionately, while Miyako and Ryuhito rejoined Appa, sitting on the ground beside the huge animal, happy just to be in his presence.
*Chinese name meaning healthy
**I decided to finally give Mai's family a surname. Councilman Hoshi sounds silly.
A/N: Long story short, I really didn't want to write another wedding, so came up with a way to avoid it. And I can genuinely picture Aang and Katara (especially Aang) just deciding to get married on the spot. Hey, they were in a spectacular location and I'm sure that they had discussed marriage before. Since Pathik is a spiritual expert, I gave him the power to marry people. Momo and Appa were the witnesses.
Next up is the celebration for Aang and Katara and Tomiko will be featured heavily as well.
Hideo returns and Toph will have fun seeing her oldest friends again.
Thanks so much to all who read and appreciate the story.
Alabaster