Well, this started out about Kataang, now I'm wading deeper and deeper into Tokka. I'm easing back on track little by little, and I know how I want to end this whole thing, I'm just trying to decide the road I'm going to take to get there.

Thanks for all the reads, comments, etc.

As always, characters by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, Story by Me.

*10/06/2013* Still working. This is one of my favorite chapters, it just flowed out. Oh, and I love reviews *wink wink*

Birth Day

Aang and Katara became increasingly happy that Sokka had decided to stay and lend a hand because the closer Toph got to her due date, the more difficult she became. They were doing their best to be understanding of all she was going through, but she was making it hard. They were very pleased that Sokka was willing to take the brunt of her attacks.

But then her due date came and went and Toph became more annoyed as the days passed. Five more days went by before she finally went into labor, that's when Katara asked Aang to take the children over to the woman's dormitory so that they could stay with their favorite friend until the baby came. She had a hard enough time keeping Toph from cursing everyone out before she went into labor, she knew it would be impossible after.

As strong as Toph was, the labor hit her hard. With every contraction came a barrage of curse words and insults that would of made even the most hardened sailor blush in shame. She berated Katara for not being able to force the baby out and Aang for not being able to use his powers to ease the pain, but, as usual, Sokka endured the most abuse. He took all the jabs meant for her husband and a couple that were personally directed at him. He was brave enough to hold her hand and he had no problem enduring the pain of her grip until he heard one of his bones crack around the ninth hour of her labor.

"Damn it Toph! You broke my finger!", he yelled out in pain as she was starting to release her grip on his hand.

He snatched his hand away and his sister immediately took him out of the room to heal it, leaving Aang alone with a very tired and volatile Toph. When he was sure that she was in between contractions he spoke to her. "Toph, I know you're going through a lot and it's not easy, but maybe you should give Sokka a break. You're being beyond rough on him and he's putting up with all of it."

"I know Twinkle Toes. I'm not trying to be, but this is so hard. I never thought this would hurt so much, and my parents are in Republic City waiting like a couple of lizard crows…"

"I told you, they won't be allowed to set foot on this island unless you say so, and you and the baby can stay as long as you like."

"I know that too." It was silent for a moment, "Can I talk to Snoozles alone when Sweetness if done with him?"

Aang smiled "I think I can make that happen."

Katara and Sokka came back in just as Toph was finishing another contraction. They had finally started coming on a regular basis, so Aang knew that when she released his hand he had ten minutes to give her to talk to Sokka.

"Sorry Aang.", she said as she released his bruised hand.

"Yeah," he said sarcastically as he cradled his hurt hand in the other. "Katara, can you help me out next."

"Let me check Toph first and…"

"No," he interrupted, "This won't take long.", he said as her pulled her out of the room.

When Aang closed the door behind him Toph said, "Sokka," the sound of her actually saying his name shocked him, he looked at her with wide eyes "Sokka, I'm sorry about how I've been treating you the past few weeks, and I'm sorry I broke your finger. I just…I just wanna say thank you for standing by me."

Sokka was dumbfounded. He didn't know how to react. This was totally out of Toph's character. He didn't know what to say or do and he couldn't think. That's when his heart must of taken over his mouth because he said, "I'd do anything for you Toph because I love you."

Toph didn't have time to react because just then a contraction hit her hard, "Katara!", she yelled.

The water bender came running into the room, "Toph! What's wrong. Is that another one already?" Katara lifted the sheet and checked her friend. "Okay Toph, its time. On the next contraction I need you to push."

And that's what she did. I took about fifteen minutes of pushing and screaming. Aang and Sokka had been brought to their knees more than once while they took turns holding Toph's hand and speaking encouraging words. And then came what they'd all been waiting to hear, the cries of Toph's new baby.

"You were right Toph", Katara said giggling as she placed the new bundle in her friend's arms, "It's a girl"

For once Toph was speechless. She slowly placed her hand on the baby's head and ran it carefully down the side of her face. She had never touched a newborn baby before. The earth bender was shocked at how soft her little daughter was. Her daughter, with lots of hair and smooth skin. So, this is what people meant by smooth as a baby's bottom. she thought.

She turned her head in Aang's direction, "What does she look like?", she whispered.

"She's beautiful.", he whispered back.

Sokka smiled at Toph's fascination over her new baby. He never thought she would soften that much, but here it was, right before his eyes. He quietly snuck out the door and rested his back on the wall. The he slid down the wall and put his face in his palms. He couldn't believe that he had blurted it out like that. "I am such an idiot." he mumbled.

"Why are you an idiot?", Aang asked as he eased out the door.

"I told her…" Sokka answered, looking up at his old friend with sad puppy eyes.

"Wow," he said, sitting on the floor beside the distraught warrior, "What happened? What did she say?"

"It just fell out of my mouth." he said as his hands fell out in front of him " I couldn't stop myself.", he slapped his palm against his forehead and said, "Stupid. Stupid, stupid."

"So she reacted badly?"

"No, she didn't react at all, that was about a second before she called out for Katara."

"Wow…that's rough buddy."

"Tell me about it."

The door opened and Katara came out with a ball of sheets and towels in her hands. "Why are you guys sitting out here?", they just looked at her. "Okay…Well Sokka, Toph wants to see you. She's going to get you for not saying how beautiful Lin is."

"Lin?", Sokka and Aang said a the same time.

"Yes, if you two would of stayed in the room you would of know that she named the baby Lin."

As his wife walked by Aang jumped up, "Hey Katara, that's a lot of stuff, let me help you," He turned around and shot a big silly grin at his brother-in-law.

Sokka stood up shaking his head before stepping back in the door, "You wanted to see me?", he asked sheepishly

"Get over here Snoozles. Why did you leave? You don't like babies or something?"

"I just wanted to get some air. You beat me and Aang up pretty good, we had to take a breather."

"You know, even though my feet aren't on the ground I know you're lying.", Sokka gripped the door tighter and held his head down, "Well, are you coming to see my baby or not? Twinkle Toes and Sweetness said she's cute, but they think a baby hog monkey is cute. I need to hear what you say about her."

Sokka relaxed. He thought that maybe, just maybe, she hadn't heard what he'd said. He walked over and sat beside her on the bed, "Well, let's see," he started as he studied the sleeping newborn, "She has lots of black hair, like yours, and skin like yours, and when she was awake I saw that she has big green eyes, like yours, only brighter. She's a pretty little girl."

Toph smile, "Okay, I'm satisfied now." The two sat in an awkward silence for a while before Toph finally said," you know, I heard what you said…before I mean."

Sokka's heart raced and he tried his best to sound calm, "You heard that?"

"Yes, I did."

"I didn't mean for it to come out, at least not like that, and not now. My timing stinks."

"Yeah, it kinda does.", They sat in silence for a few more moments, "Hey, Katara said there is a cradle on the other side of the room, can you put her in there for me?"

Sokka carefully lifted the baby out of Toph's arms and walked across the room. He silently laid her in the cradle and went back to Toph's side. He stood there for a minute, not sure where to look or what to do. The cat was out of the bag and he didn't know where to go from there.

"Will you sit back down?", Toph said, patting the space next to her. As he sat she said, "You know, I wish I had the guts you have. I never would have been able to just come out and say it."

Sokka was shocked that she was admitting this, "Oh, when was this?", he said, pretending that Aang hadn't already told him.

"You already knew." she snapped, "Oh, I'm going to get Baldy for that. How long ago did he tell you?"

"A couple of weeks ago.", he blushed and rubbed the back of his head, "When he told me he saw how I felt about you."

"And how long ago did he see that?"

"I'm not exactly sure when he saw it, but it's been going on a few years now."

"Years?! Why didn't you say something before now?"

"Toph, what was suppose to say? 'Leave your husband and come be with me."

"I wish you had," she said, holding her head down.

"No you don't, then you wouldn't have that little one over there."

"Or maybe she could have been yours.", Toph said, resting her head on Sokka's shoulder right before she let out a yawn.

"I should let you rest.", he said and tried to get up, but she grabbed his arm.

"No Sokka, please stay. I can use the company. It's been a long day."

"Okay.", he said as he sat back down and put his arm around her shoulder, "Is this alright?", he asked, not sure if he was being too forward.

"It's perfect.", she said and nuzzled against his chest. Within a minute she had fallen asleep.

By the time Aang and Katara got back to the room Sokka had fallen asleep too. Toph was still in his arms and he had rested his head on hers.

Katara was confused, but Aang had a huge goofy smile on his face, "Did I miss something?, she asked when she saw the look on his face, "They're all snuggled up as if they…"her mouth dropped as the realization hit her, "Oh no, OHHHH No," she started to get loud and her husband pulled her out of the room, "No Aang, whatever it is, I don't want to hear it. Her husband just left her and she just had a baby…unless this has been going on for a while…were they…"

"No," he said quickly, "they were not having an affair, but your brother has been wanting to be with her for a while now and his feelings just sort of slipped out right before she had the baby."

"Aang, this is going…this is happening…this is…", the flustered woman tried to get her thoughts together so she could get her point across, but she couldn't get her words right.

"I know, it's fast, but we don't have any control over how they feel or how they live their lives. They're both adults. All we can do is be there is they need us, and I think they both need us right now."

"I guess you're right," she said, falling lightly against her husband's chest, "But it's still crazy."