"Zuko?" Katara began, propping herself up on one elbow as she looked down at her husband.
"Hnn?" the fire lord replied, rolling over slightly so that he could see her better.
Katara bit her lip, and awkwardly ran a hand through her hair. "Don't you ever get lonely in the palace? I mean, don't you wish there was more people than just the two of us? We have so many rooms to ourselves, and…"
Zuko sighed slightly, and rolled back over. "Toph and Aang are coming to stay in a month, Katara," he replied blandly, and closed his eyes again.
"That wasn't exactly what I meant. What I mean is… wouldn't you like to…extend our family?" Katara asked, toying with the bed sheets.
"We already have Uncle, Aang, Toph, Suki, and Sokka. Does our family need to get any more complicated?" he muttered, and then sat up, his eyes wide. "You're not thinking about including Ty-Lee, are you?" he demanded, and Katara sighed sharply.
"No, Zuko," she replied dryly, and the man leaned back with relief. Katara licked her lips. "It just feels like… something's missing around here." She tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear, and then smiled softly. "Like… the pitter patter of little feet."
"That's because I had the maid set traps for the rats," Zuko replied dryly. "I can't believe you miss that!"
Katara put her head in her hands and closed her eyes. "Haven't you ever considered becoming a father?" she asked bluntly.
Zuko's face when white, then red, then white again. "A…a father?" he squeaked. "Look, honey, I don't think now's really the best time. I mean, we just inherited the throne, and we're still recovering from the war, and…"
Katara took a deep breath. "Zuko… I'm pregnant."
Somewhere outside, Iroh sat sipping his tea, admiring the serenity of the early morning. That was interrupted, however, when a guard ran past him, calling for a medic. Seeing the general, the man paused. "General Iroh! Your nephew may be gravely ill!"
"Wha…"
"He's fainted!" the man shouted before rushing onwards.
Iroh watched the man go with a small smile. "Ah…" he murmured into his tea. "She's told him."