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Chapter 22: Beautiful Day
Four Weeks Later
"Oh my Agni, look at you!" Ty Lee exclaimed as she burst into the sitting room and gave Mai a tight hug. "I can hardly get my arms around you."
"So you're saying I'm huge," Mai replied dryly before returning the squeeze.
"No, well, yes, but in a good way. You look amazing and a little bit cranky."
"I'm uncomfortable and it's hard to sleep so I'm tired. But, it's good to see you, Ty. Is your friend coming in or is he going to hold the doorframe up?"
"Gen, get in here and say hello to Mai."
A nervous looking young man of twenty three inched forward. He bowed stiffly, avoiding looking directly at Mai.
"Hi," Mai said. "I met you on Kyoshi Island, remember. You don't have to be nervous."
"Gen almost fainted when we ran into Zuko; I think it was the robes and the hairpiece. Oh, he asked me to tell you that he's almost finished with his work and he'll see you before dinner."
"Okay, thanks. Why don't I have a servant bring us some tea? Gen, have a seat over there. Are you hungry?"
"N, no, my lady, I'm fine," he stuttered in reply and sat on the edge of the comfortable and thickly cushioned chair.
Ty Lee sat on the chair's arm and wrapped herself around the man. Mai had to admit that they made a good looking couple. Her friend's hair was much shorter than it had been a few years earlier; gone was the extremely long braid. It fell to just above her shoulders in soft waves and a pretty pin held it back from her face. Though still quite obviously bubbling over with enthusiasm and optimism, her pretty grey eyes held something more mature and serious. She looked like a real lady in her dark pink robes edged with maroon and embroidered with a lovely flower pattern.
Her boyfriend, Gen, was well muscled and of average height with light brown hair, even features and attractive green eyes. You could see kindness and a little bit of mischief in their depths. His smile, very open and genuine, made his face however.
"So, Gen, what do you think of the Fire Nation so far?" Mai asked politely.
"Well, um, it, well, it seems very volcanic and um, red," he replied.
"True enough. Ty should give you a tour of the city and maybe while you're here the two of you could go to Ember Island. It's beautiful there and the beach house would be all yours."
"You mean it, Mai?" Ty Lee squealed. "Gen's never been anywhere or had a vacation. Of course, we'll wait until after the baby is born."
"Yes, I mean it and that shouldn't be too long now. Please don't let it be too long."
"I love you, Mai. You're the best."
Mai flushed just a bit and looked down at her nails.
"So where are the children? I can't wait to see them."
"Iroh and Lan have them. They took them out for lunch in the city."
"Aww, they must be the most adorable things ever."
"Most of the time," Mai agreed. "Tell me more about Jian."
"He can almost sit up by himself now. Sokka places about fifty pillows all around him so he doesn't get hurt when he falls over. His hair is reddish and his eyes are just like Suki's. I babysit him sometimes when they want some time alone."
"How's Suki doing? "
"She's still training very hard and working with some younger girls. But she doesn't stay at the dojo all day anymore. She goes home at lunch time."
"And Sokka?"
"He's as goofy as ever. I know he's anxious to get back to the Southern Water Tribe. He says there's still a lot of work to do there. I think he just misses his father, though, right Gen."
"I think so," he agreed.
"Gen and Sokka get along really well," Ty Lee added.
"What is it you do again?" Mai asked, looking at the young man.
"I help my father and mother with their shop."
"What kind of shop?"
"Oh, we sell produce mainly, fruits and vegetables."
The Fire Lady nodded.
"I'm going to see about that tea. I could use a cup."
She called for a servant and tea was brought shortly after. Mai poured a cup for everyone and they drank in pleasant quiet for a few minutes.
"Oh, I almost forgot about Toph; where is she?" Ty Lee asked.
Mai smiled and tucked her black hair behind her ears.
"Toph's out with Maho. You have to meet her. She's the woman who helped Tomiko when he was at Sacred Flame. Tom adores her and she and Toph are thick as thieves."
"Awww, I really want to meet her now. Is she our age?"
"U, she's, twenty, I think. Anyway, you'll like her. We all do."
"I'll bet you never thought that you would have so many friends, so many people who love you or three kids, did you Mai?"
She chuckled in response. "No, I figured I was doomed for old maid hood for a while. Agni knows my mother thought I was."
"Do you ever hear what's going on with them?" the Kyoshi Warrior whispered.
"Zuko has people watching them, so we do get reports."
"Ohhhh…"
"They're surviving, barely."
"Sounds about right for what they did. Do you think you could show us our room now, Mai? I'd like to freshen up."
"Of course; just let me get up here."
Ty Lee jumped off the chair and helped Mai maneuver herself off the sofa. The Fire Lady placed her hands on her huge belly and grimaced.
"When are you due exactly?"
"In a few days, any time really. I'm certainly ready to have a shape that isn't circular again."
"What do you want; a boy or a girl?" the acrobat asked.
"It doesn't matter but I'm pretty certain that the baby's a girl."
"Awww, and Miyako's so beautiful. You and Zuko make the most amazing babies ever."
"Um, thanks," Mai replied.
She made sure Ty Lee and Gen were comfortable in their rooms before going to her own and lying down for a quick nap. It was the perfect time; the twins were out, Tom was at school and Zuko was busy. Mai fidgeted on the large bed, trying to get comfortable. Eventually she lay on her side; a pillow tucked in between her thighs and closed her eyes. Sleep came thankfully and she didn't wake for more than an hour. Feeling somewhat refreshed, Mai went to the kitchen to talk to Akane about the next day's big dinner.
"It's all under control. Don't you worry about anything," the cook stated.
She moved efficiently around the kitchen, giving instructions to her two aides while keeping an eye on bubbling pots, baking pastries and roasting meats.
"You said simple for tonight, so I made a chicken stew. For tomorrow, though, I've got all kinds of wonderful dishes."
"It certainly smells good in here," Mai exclaimed. "Tomiko might be coming by for a snack soon. What do we have for him?"
"Taken care of; I've got a bowl of his favorite fruits cut up."
"Thanks, Akane."
"It's my job and I love doing it. Now, it's how many for dinner tomorrow?"
Mai counted in her head. "Fourteen."
"I'd better get back to work then, my lady."
Politely dismissed, Mai wandered back toward her room and ran into her family on the way.
"Mommy," the twins called as they dashed toward her.
Iroh and Lan looked tired while Zuko looked amused.
"Hey, you two; how was lunch?"
"Yummy and see," Miyako cried as she held out her hand for Mai to inspect.
A simple child's bracelet of beads adorned her wrist and the little girl displayed it proudly.
"Very pretty; did Iroh and Lan buy that for you?"
"Uh huh and Ryu got a top. We pick them out."
"Let's see your present, sweetie," Mai said to her son.
He opened his clenched fist and showed the tiny red top inside.
"Wow," Mai declared. "Thank you Iroh and Lan. Did the kids thank you properly?"
"Yes, they have good manners most of the time and endless energy. I think I need a nap now. I'm not used to running after small children."
"Sure, go ahead; dinner's in about three hours."
"Ah, that gives us lots of time, Lan, my dear."
Mai and Zuko locked eyes and then smirked.
"Okay, see you later, Uncle. Thanks again for taking the kids out."
"I love them dearly, nephew, and want to spend a lot of time with them while Lan and I are here. Now, see you at dinner."
The happy couple sauntered down the hallway to their room.
"Do you want to meet Tomiko at the gate?" Zuko asked the kids.
They agreed eagerly.
"Are you up for the walk?" he asked, turning to Mai.
"Yeah, I'm good. I had a nap after a visit with Ty Lee and Gen. Tell me about the meeting. How was our new economics expert?"
"Kochi's great," Zuko enthused, as he slipped his arm through Mai's. "I'm glad you pushed for him."
Mai looked momentarily smug. "I'm glad too."
"So Ty Lee is as hyper as ever," the Fire Lord continued conversationally as they walked slowly through hallways and out into the courtyard.
"Hmm, yes," Mai agreed with a smile. "Gen and Ty look good together."
"I guess so; he's a decent guy. I'm glad that Ty's happy."
"I see Tom," Mai stated as the boy walked through the massive gate and greeted the twins.
"Hey," the boy said a little hesitantly.
He looked dirty and his uniform was torn in several places.
"You look a bit worse for wear," his sister observed dryly. "What happened? Are you okay?"
"I got into a fight with Masato," the boy answered with ferocity. "He won't bother me again."
"Did you hurt him?" Zuko asked.
"Well, his nose was bleeding and I think he's gonna have a black eye too."
"Who started it?" Mai inquired. "Did he provoke you?"
"He said, he said awful things about you and Zuko and the twins. So I hit him because he wouldn't shut up and I couldn't ignore it. He kept following me around the yard. I tried to get away from him, I really did."
Tom was crying now; they were tears of anger and outrage, tears he hadn't allowed himself to shed at school. Mai pulled him into her side and rubbed a hand up and down his arm.
"We understand why you did it, Tom. Sometimes a good punch is the only thing that works."
"But," Zuko added, "try to avoid it in the future. You're a smart boy. I'll bet you can find another way to shut him up or to avoid him altogether."
"He hasn't said anything for awhile so I wasn't expecting it. I got so mad. Sora asked him to stop and he pushed her. Then I got even madder." He wiped his nose and then reached into his satchel for a note from the teacher. "I have to stay after school tomorrow with Masato and wash the floors and the desks."
"Oh, well, that seems fitting enough. Your teacher is a smart man. I like him."
"I like him too. I hope he doesn't hate me now."
"He doesn't," Mai said firmly. "Don't worry. Do your time tomorrow and then you're off for two days."
"Maybe the baby will come on the weekend," Tomiko said hopefully.
"I hope she has the decency to wait until after our big dinner," the Fire Lady joked.
"Maho's coming, right?"
"Yes, she's coming with Norio. Why don't you ask Sora to come too? One more doesn't make a difference."
"Yay, I'll ask her tomorrow," the boy exclaimed.
"Yay," the twins yelled along with their uncle, though they weren't quite sure why he was so happy.
They had been too busy lying on the ground watching as a particularly large insect made its pondering way along the stone path.
"Look!" they shrieked and Tom knelt down beside them.
"It's huge," he cried. "Can I catch it and take it inside?"
Zuko looked at Mai who curled her lip and shuddered.
"No, it belongs out here," the Fire Lord decided and peered down between the children. "Come take a look, Mai. I've never seen an insect like this."
Sighing, she joined the small throng and took a peek.
"Like I'd ever allow that in the palace," she stated.
"Maybe there are already some inside," Zuko teased. "Maybe there are some in our room."
Mai pulled out a blade and brandished it threateningly.
"They won't be around for long."
Zuko laughed. "Come on guys; let's go inside for a snack. I hear Akane's got something ready for you, Tom."
"You need to change and get cleaned up first. And that uniform has to be mended. You have another one for tomorrow, don't you?"
"Yep," he replied. "So you guys aren't mad at me."
"We're not mad," Zuko reassured the boy.
He grabbed hold of the twins and pulled them up gently from their splayed positions.
"Time to go; the bug wants to be on his way now."
The twins had put tiny roadblocks in front of the insect, leaves, stones and what not. They pushed the objects aside with their feet and watched it begin to move again.
"Bye bug," Miyako whispered as she pressed herself tight against her father's leg.
He ran a hand lovingly along the top of her head as they walked back to the palace.
the next day
"See; what did I tell you?" Toph declared. "Tom has a date for the dinner and I don't."
"They're nine, Toph," Mai replied. "I wouldn't call it a date."
"When you were nine, you loved Zuko, remember," Ty Lee said and gave her oldest friend a gentle swat.
"You did," Ursa chimed in. "It was written all over your cute little face every time my son walked by."
"Well, yeah, but, that doesn't mean Tom loves Sora. They're friends. She's a sweetheart, though. I really like her."
"Whatever you call it, the boy's getting more action than I am."
"You don't need a date, Toph. You're fine on your own. And if you really wanted one, I'm sure you could get one," Mai added firmly.
"Yeah, isn't that right, Gen?" Ty Lee asked her boyfriend.
"Oh, well, um, yes, um, I'm sure she could."
Gen was the only man in a room full of women. That wasn't quite true. Ryuhito sat with his sister at a child's table as the two tried to finish a puzzle. There were more pieces being tossed about by Miyako than pieces actually being fit together, but the pair was hard at it and oblivious to the talk around them. Meanwhile, Gen sat on a chair off to one side and watched while the women talked and giggled and talked some more. He should have just stayed in his room and read or something else; taken a walk around the city perhaps. But, he enjoyed watching Ty Lee smile and gesture and have a good time. That fact made up for an otherwise boring afternoon.
"Poor Gen; are you bored?" Lan asked the young man. "You should have gone with Zuko and Iroh."
"I'm fine, ma'am," he replied politely. "I didn't want to interfere with the Fire Lord's special time with his uncle."
Mai snorted and Ty Lee gave her a kick in the shin.
"You're a shy one, aren't you?" Lan continued.
"Isn't he just adorable," Ty Lee sighed. "Anyway, he's used to being around lots of girls, since I'm a Kyoshi Warrior and we all hang out together. Gen gets stuck in the middle sometimes."
This time Mai and Toph snorted.
"Come on, how could we not laugh at that?" Mai asked when her friend glared at her.
"We're picturing a Gen/Kyoshi Warrior sandwich," Toph stated suggestively.
The man in question turned a deep red and looked at a painting on the wall, examining every detail meticulously until his face finally cooled.
"Maybe I'll go for a little walk in the garden. Is that alright, my lady?" he asked Mai.
"You can call me Mai and that's fine. I guess we've chased you off."
"No, no, I just need some fresh air."
"Can you find your way there?" Ty Lee asked with concern.
"I'll manage, Ty," he snapped.
"Don't forget about the dinner. You have to change and…"
"Yes, Ty, I know. Excuse me, ladies."
"Now I feel bad," Mai confessed.
"Don't," Ty Lee advised. "He's fine. Are those kids going to ignore me for the rest of my stay? I want some time with the little cuties."
"You're going to have to take some," Mai stated. "They're in their own world, right now."
"Okay, I will."
Ty Lee walked over to the small table and sat down on the floor beside it. She began to help with the puzzle. They handed her pieces without thought and laughed at the exaggerated look of concentration she wore.
"You funny," Miyako told her. "Toph funny too."
"I am, am I? That's good to know. Look, this piece fits here."
"Thanks," Ryuhito said, almost always more serious than his sister.
"Hey, you know what? I need to teach you two some gymnastics. Can you do somersaults yet?"
"Show me," Miyako demanded a she got up from the table, almost knocking the puzzle pieces on to the floor.
"She knows what she wants, doesn't she, Mai?" Ty Lee observed.
Mai rolled her eyes and gave her friend a nod.
"Let's go over here, away from the teacups and the table, okay."
The gymnast, one time circus performer and now warrior took the little girl by the hand and led her to a quiet spot in the huge room. She got down on the carpet and demonstrated a somersault, tucking her robes into her body with both hands.
"Now, you try. I'll help."
Miyako did a sort of sideways roll a few times before getting the basic idea. Then she wouldn't stop.
"Ryu," she called. "See me."
He joined his sister on the carpet and watched her do roll after roll.
"You try," she stated.
Obediently, he attempted the move and got it perfectly the second time.
"Wow, good job you guys. When you're a little older, I'll teach you cart wheels and flips."
"Mommy, can you do one?" Miyako yelled.
"Not with a belly like this," Mai replied as she indicated her huge stomach. "After I have the baby, we can do somersaults outside."
"K," the toddler said agreeably enough.
"You've never done one in your life," Ty Lee giggled.
"There's a first time for everything," Mai shot back.
The afternoon passed swiftly and pleasantly and soon it was time get to ready for dinner and guests. It would be the last entertaining Mai did until the new baby was at least a few weeks old.
Iroh watched discerningly as Zuko went through several firebending forms, some simple and some complicated. The old general corrected the young Fire Lord a few times but all in all was satisfied with his nephew's performance; impressed even.
"You've come a long way since those days on your ship. You are an excellent firebender, Zuko."
"Thank you, Uncle. I should train more but with my work and my family, it's hard to fit in sometimes. Then again, you never know when you might need to fight. I learned that recently."
"Yes, one should always maintain one's skills."
With that, Iroh performed some tricky moves of his own.
"You're still the best," Zuko enthused.
"I'm not dead yet, that's for sure. Have you thought about teachers for your children should they be benders?"
"No, I haven't. I love being a firebender and I love my element but I don't want to put pressure on my children. I want them all to know that it's okay if they're mediocre benders or non benders like their mother. They don't need to bend to make a good Fire Lord either."
"I'm not sure that you're council would agree with you, nephew. It's a long standing tradition that the Fire Lord is a powerful bender."
"My current council, probably not; but by the time the kids are adults, the council will be different. I've already got a much younger economics expert thanks to Mai's advice. The younger generation won't care if the Fire Lord can bend or not."
"That Mai, she's a good one," Iroh winked. "She's smart as a whip and won't take nonsense from anybody."
"I still wonder sometimes how I got so lucky," Zuko mused.
"Eh, don't sell yourself short. You're a good husband, a good father and a good man. Your wife and kids adore you and you adore them. It's obvious to anyone with eyes and ears. And you've taken on Tomiko as well and care for him like a son."
"He's such a good kid. It's a pleasure to have him around. Tell me about you and Lan. What have you two been up to?"
Zuko wiped his face off with a towel and put his tunic back on. It was wintertime but still mild and the Fire Lord had worked up a sweat. A servant appeared with a pitcher of cold water and two glasses, poured and vanished again. Iroh took a few gulps and then replied.
"Between my tea shop and her restaurant, there's not much time for anything else. But we do both have trusted employees whom we can leave our businesses with and take trips like the one we made here. And we spend time together every day, whether it's breakfast or lunch or a walk around town. And of course, there's always the night time."
"UNCLE," Zuko protested as his cheeks flushed. "Please don't say anymore."
"Fine, fine, I'll stop. But it's not like you and Mai don't….."
"UNCLE!"
"Alright…" the former general said with a grin. "Let's talk about that baby you're having any day now. Are you ready?"
"I think so," Zuko replied as he sat down on the stones of the courtyard and leaned back against the high wall.
The coolness of the stone seeped through the cloth of his tunic and felt good.
"Are you worried about anything?"
"I just want Mai and the baby to be okay. I hope the twins accept the baby. They don't really have a choice, but you know what I mean."
"I know," Iroh stated and slid down the wall to join his nephew on the ground. "It will all work out. Things usually do."
He clapped a hand firmly onto Zuko's shoulder and squeezed.
"Thanks, Uncle."
"Now, tell me about this dinner we're having tonight. I'm up for a really good meal."
"There's roast duck, so you should be happy," Zuko quipped. "And you'll get to meet Maho and Norio and Tom's little friend."
"Good, good, and this new cook of yours, she's skilled?"
"Uh, yeah," Zuko said sadly. "We miss Rezu, though. She was the best."
"I'm sorry, nephew. I remember her too and her excellent cooking brightened many a day."
"There was no reason for her to die. It's not right, Uncle."
"No, it isn't, but just as most things work out in the end, sometimes people die pointless deaths. The best you can do is to remember her and bring her killer to justice. Mai took care of the killer and the man who gave the orders was hanged. You obviously think of her fondly, you and Mai and the kids."
"Yeah, but…."
"No buts, Zuko. It's not your fault that Rezu's dead."
The pair sat quietly for awhile, both deep in thought. Hunger drove both men to move after awhile.
"Do you want to get something to eat?" Zuko asked. "Dinner is still a ways off."
Iroh's stomach rumbled at the mention of food and he gripped onto it tightly.
"My belly says 'yes'," he replied.
"Uncle," Zuko began, "I'm glad you're here."
"There's no place I would rather be right now," he smiled in response. "Now, let's get some food."
The dining room was crowded and filled with the sounds of laughter and talk and tantalizing smells. Candles provided the only light, and the best linens and dishes adorned the table. Servants bustled about, making sure all the guests were provided for. Everyone looked his or her best; it wasn't a formal dinner for visiting statesmen or diplomats, but it was a celebration of friendship and family and the impending birth so fancy dress seemed appropriate.
Miyako and Ryuhito wore matching deep scarlet tunics, hers over leggings and his over pants. Gold threading gave the fabric a rich looking sheen. Both had topknots; Miyako's was decorated with a pretty hairpiece of Mai's and she felt very grown up.
Tomiko's friend, Sora, wore her finest robes in varying shades of pink. Her grey eyes sparkled with excitement and she almost dropped her chopsticks several times. She tugged nervously at her brown hair and kept looking around the table in amazement.
"No need to be nervous," Ursa whispered to the girl. "No one here will bite you, except maybe Toph."
Sora giggled and relaxed a bit. Tomiko gave her a shy smile and dug into his own food.
Iroh and Hideo were talking up a storm and getting along tremendously well. Ursa looked on with amusement as the two men talked culture and politics and pai sho. It was good to see Hideo make conversation with another man. He too was a bit shy and didn't have an abundance of friends.
"We should switch seats, dear," Lan suggested to her husband. "That way I could talk to Ursa without leaning back behind you or across your food."
Obligingly, Iroh got up and switched both seats and dishes with the cheerful woman.
"There," Lan said to Ursa. "That's better. Now, tell me everything about Hideo."
Maho and Norio sat on Tomiko's other side and the boy's head swiveled between his new friend and the woman who had helped him survive a terrible experience, a woman he almost worshipped.
"Your friend is very cute," Maho whispered in the boy's ear.
Tomiko grinned and nodded his agreement. Maho looked lovely in a black, her haired pulled back softly showing off the earrings that a smitten Norio had recently purchased for her. The brazen man kept stealing looks at her between talking politely with Zuko on his other side. The Fire Lord understood completely. He snuck his own looks at Mai who looked radiant, if a little uncomfortable. She wore a plum colored tunic and matching pants and her hair hung loose over her shoulders.
"You're not eating much," he said with concern in between snatches of talk with Norio.
"I don't feel quite right. I'm having little pains in my abdomen."
"What?" he almost shouted.
Talk stopped and heads turned toward Zuko and Mai.
"Way to be discreet," the Fire Lady snarked. "It's okay everyone. Go back to what you were doing."
"Sorry," Zuko said. "I'm just worried now. Is the baby coming? I should get a servant to notify the midwife."
"You'd think I would know, having been through it once, but I'm not sure. It feels like mild cramps. If it gets worse, we'll bring her in, okay."
"Okay," Zuko agreed reluctantly as he covered her hand with his. "Do you need anything right now?"
"No, no, I'm alright."
"Mommy, are you sick?" Ryuhito asked.
"No, sweetie, I'm not sick."
Zuko spent the rest of the evening tensely keeping an eye on Mai while she talked a bit with Ty Lee and Toph and helped the twins. It was a happy gathering with lots of laughter and Mai enjoyed just watching and listening to her family and friends almost as much as talking with them. It was a habit she would never outgrow, this silent watching and careful listening. She learned so much more about every person at the table through observation than she did through conversation. She wasn't sure if that was a flaw in her own personality, the dependence on listening rather than talking, taking in rather than putting out. She wasn't sure that she really cared anymore. Mai was Mai and she was happy with herself these days. Besides, compared to years earlier she talked up a storm now.
A few hours later, everyone was ready to call it a night. Maho and Norio accompanied Tomiko as he walked Sora home, and then walked the boy back to the palace before heading to their own places. Hideo slipped away a little later after some quiet time with Ursa and the rest of the guests retired to their rooms in the palace.
After putting a very sleepy couple of kids to bed, Mai quickly got into a nightgown and gratefully pulled back the covers of her own bed. It felt wonderful to lie down on the cool sheets with Zuko's warm body pressed against hers.
"The midwife is on notice," Zuko breathed into her ear.
"Good," Mai replied. "Because I think the baby will be born tomorrow, or today I suppose."
"Does it hurt?" the Fire Lord asked sympathetically, pressing his hand to her belly.
"A bit; it's more uncomfortable than painful right now."
"Let's get some sleep before things get crazy then."
"Mmmmhmmm," Mai agreed.
Zuko kissed the top of her head and fell asleep soon after. Mai had a harder time. The activity in her body was just a bit distracting. Eventually a restless sort of sleep claimed her, but she awoke with the sun as though she were a firebender, while Zuko still slumbered beside her.
She shook her husband gently. He opened his gold eyes slowly and met hers. She didn't need to speak. Zuko leapt out of the bed and ran out the door and down the hallway, searching for a servant rather than calling for one. A young man was dispatched to get the midwife and Zuko tore back down the hallway, bumping into his uncle along the way.
"Slow down nephew. What's going on?"
"Mai's having the baby," he shouted back at Iroh as he continued to bolt towards the room he and Mai shared. "Can you watch the twins?"
"Ah," Iroh said as he turned on his heel and walked back the way he had come. He looked out one of the windows that lined the hallway and took a second to observe the brightening sky. "What a beautiful day to have a baby."
Zuko held Mai's hand, got her cold water when she wanted it and encouraged her as best he could. The midwife was busy at the other end of the bed. She shouted out brusque orders to push every few minutes and Mai complied willingly through gritted teeth and tight lips. Compared to her first labor, this one was mercifully brief though the pain was just as intense if not more so.
During a break between contractions, Mai lay back against her sweat damp pillow and looked over at her husband.
"What are the kids doing?" she asked.
"Don't worry. They're fine."
"I didn't say I was worried. I asked what they're doing."
"Oh, well, they're with Iroh and Lan and Tomiko and my mother. I can hear them running down the hallway."
"Hmmm, okay. Here goes," she grimaced and gave another push.
More sweat beaded on her head and she gripped the sheets with one hand and Zuko with the other.
"It's almost over," Zuko said with a smile. "You're doing great."
"Oh shut up," she replied as another pain hit.
"Okay, then," he smiled. Mai's words didn't have much bite to them. "Are you sure you don't want Toph or my mom here too?"
"No, just us this time," she replied through bouts of heavy breathing. "I want us to be the first to see our daughter."
Zuko nodded then bent over to place a kiss on his wife's forehead.
"I love you," he whispered, "and you are doing great."
"Time to concentrate, my lady," the midwife declared. "Just one or two more big pushes and the baby will be here."
Three hours after sunrise, their daughter arrived.
"Told you," Mai said smugly as she wriggled upward into a seated position and cradled the small just cleaned bundle close to her. "Look at her."
Zuko already was. He couldn't take his eyes off the barely open gold eyes, the tiny pink mouth and sweet little hands that waved about jerkily. The Fire Lord spotted a dimple in one chubby cheeked and reached out with his finger to touch it. Mai ran her hand over the soft bits of black hair that covered the infant's head and looked at her husband.
"She's amazing, isn't she?" she asked; the pain already a thing of the past.
"She is," Zuko agreed. "Can I hold her?"
Mai handed their daughter over and Zuko held her tenderly while he examined every exposed part of her carefully. He put a finger against her hand and felt the familiar strong grip that he recalled from each of the twins. It was an indescribable feeling, having his newborn daughter hold onto him and finally look up at his face, and into his eyes. Zuko didn't know what exactly she saw, but he felt an intense surge of love and protectiveness and the sting of joyful tears in his eyes.
"Do you think we should tell them," Mai asked mischievously.
The midwife finished up with the Fire Lady, took another quick look at the infant and informed them that she would notify the physician of the birth.
"He'll come and check out you and the child," the older woman informed them. "But I'm certain that both you and the baby are just fine. Congratulations, by the way. She's a lovely looking girl."
"Thank you," Mai replied.
Once she opened the door to their room, Miyako burst inside and ran to her mother. Iroh followed close behind, an apologetic look on his face.
"She got away from me," he explained. "Oh my, look at that child."
Iroh looked at the infant with a mixture of wonder and love.
"Is it a boy?" Miyako asked hopefully.
"No, sweetie, you have a little sister."
"I don't like her," the toddler declared firmly and ran out of the room, smack into Ursa.
"Whoa, Miyako, what's wrong?" Zuko's mother asked.
The little girl burst into mournful wails and clung to her grandmother.
"Girl," she sobbed.
Ursa looked over the child's head and smiled at Mai and Zuko.
"Girl?" she mouthed and they nodded.
"Miyako, come here," Zuko pleaded. "Come sit with Daddy."
He handed the baby back to Mai as his older daughter crawled up onto his lap and buried her face in his chest. Zuko whispered to her and rubbed her back, trying to reassure the girl that she was still special and would always be special no matter how many daughters he and Mai had. It took a good deal of convincing for her to even look at the baby, but once Miyako saw the miniature person, she fell in love.
"Careful, Ryu," she ordered as the boy touched the infant's face. "She new."
"She won't break," Mai stated. "Tomiko, come see."
Mai's brother sat on the edge of the bed and held the baby girl for a few minutes before handing her back.
"She's really cute," he stated. "What's her name?"
"I've got a few in mind, but we haven't decided yet," Mai replied.
She looked to Zuko and he shrugged. "I'm happy with whatever you choose."
Visitors milled in and out of the room for the rest of the day. Mai stole sleep when the baby dozed between brief feedings. Zuko brought her food and took the baby from her when she was tired. The bassinet was set up in their room, next to Mai's side of the bed. The baby would sleep there for a few months.
"Oh, Mai, she's so adorable. I love her already," Ty Lee declared as she rocked the infant back and forth and stroked her cheek.
Gen looked on awkwardly, not quite sure what to do. His girlfriend looked at him with a suggestive smile and he blushed.
"I hope to have a baby one day soon too," she told her friend.
"Does Gen know this?" Mai asked dryly.
"Not yet," Ty replied. "But he will."
"Ahh, you're going to surprise him with the idea then?"
"Yep!"
Toph had declared the infant hale and healthy sounding and took her for a little stroll down the hall and a talk from Auntie Toph. Ursa, Lan and Iroh crowded around the earthbender as soon as she left Mai's room.
"You can see her after. I'm just going down here with her."
They let the young woman go and watched as she muttered words of affection, words that sounded strange coming from her mouth.
"You need a name," she told the baby. "Tell your mom you want one. I'm already tired of calling you 'baby'."
The infant girl looked raptly at Toph as she spoke and began to cry when she stopped.
"Are you hungry or something or did you wet yourself?"
Unable to stop the girl's crying, Toph quickly brought her back to Mai and Zuko.
"When she's trouble, you get her back," the earthbender said with a smirk. "Oh, and she wants a name."
"I've got one," Mai replied. "Her name is Kaminari*."
Zuko nodded. "That's a beautiful name."
*means thunder or the sound of roaring thunder
A/N: There's an epilogue coming that will really wrap things up. Hope you have enjoyed the story. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Thanks to Firelord Lionheart for helping me pare down the name list.
Alabaster