Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA... yada... yada...yada...
Chapter 36
Aang had nearly finished Katara's betrothal necklace and took advantage of Toph's arrival, knowing that Katara would be occupied for a good hour or two catching up on the latest gossip with the girls. The pendant was ready but he still hadn't decided on how it would be supported, he wanted it to be unique. He had ribbons of different colors, lengths of fine metallic chains, and strips of leather of the finest quality strewn across the bed, placing the polished moonstone pendant on each but not satisfied with any of them. Just as he was about to give up, out of sheer frustration, he saw a delicate silver chain with links just large enough to thread strands of tightly woven silk through them, and he knew just the right silk thread to use. It was cerulean blue, the color of Katara's eyes. He would braid the silk threads and weave them through the links of chain, it would be perfect. The silver lined clouds woven together with the oceans of blue, symbolizing there union. Suddenly his attention focused on the faint footsteps of someone approaching and he hurriedly gathered the items he needed and shoved them in his pocket then quickly grabbed the rest and threw them under the bed and assumed the lotus position as if he had been meditating. A split second later the bedroom door opened and Katara entered the room.
" Oh, I'm sorry Aang, I didn't mean to interrupt." She said, then turned to leave but Aang stopped her.
" It's okay, I was just about to join you guys downstairs." He replied calmly.
" Well if you were planning on catching Toph, you might as well forget about it. She's outside destroying the backyard, determind to teach Kya ' the fine art of earthbending ' ". Katara said making quotation marks in the air and rolling her eyes. " I mean seriously, Kya can't even walk yet, much less earthbend." She added.
" Well, you never know. Yue did say that they would be expecting great things from Kya. She may surprise us all." Aang replied.
" Yeah... right... whatever." She said sarcastically. " We need to finish packing for the trip. Have you figured out what you're going to wear yet?" She asked.
" Oh... well... not... not really. I thought I'd leave that up to you, you know more about these formal things than I do." Aang said. " Besides, I have a meeting with the village elder, very important... as a matter of fact I'm already late, geez, look at the time. Better get going, see you in a bit." Aang stammered, then gave her a quick peck on the cheek and rushed out the door.
" What meeting?" Katara shouted after him, but he was already gone. " Yeah, I'll bet he's just making excuses to get out of packing. He is right though, I do know more about these affairs and how to dress appropriately." She said out loud to herself, then went to the closet to find something suitable.
Aang flew off on his glider to his secret spot and diligently worked on intertwining the chain and silk threads until he was satisfied with its appearance, the gently slipped the pendant onto it and held it up to inspect it. He was completely amazed that he could produce something so beautiful, but it's beauty paled in comparison to the woman that it would adorn.
" I'm gonna do it. I'm going to ask her to be my wife and I know just the perfect time to do it." He said out loud to himself grinning.
Aang returned to the cottage a few hours later and headed toward their room to finish packing, only to find that everything was already packed and sitting by the door.
" How was your meeting?" Katara said from behind him, startling him.
" It went well. Everything's in order and we'll leave for the Fire Nation in the morning as planned." Aang replied confidently.
" I'm glad to hear that. Why don't you take our bags out to the stable while I get Tenzin ready for bed." Katara said smiling.
" Sure, less to do in the morning." He replied grinning, then grabbed a couple of bags and headed toward the stables.
The next morning the gang had a light breakfast, the loaded Appa up for the trip. The extra weight of the luggage and passengers would slow him down a bit, but they should get to the Fire Nation in plenty of time. Aang and Sokka took turns at the reigns and they made as few stops as possible, arriving in the Fire Nation late that evening. They were greeted by one of the house maids who seemed to be in a hurry, apologizing as she bellowed orders to the other staff to show them to their rooms, then flew off in a frenzy. There was utter chaos in the palace as people ran about setting up decorations and preparing for their Fire Lord and Lady's nuptials.
The girls caught up with Ty Lee and Mai after they got settled in, and Mai was so nervous she was as white as a sheet and looked like she could vomit at any moment. Everyone tried their best to calm her down and reassure her that everything would be perfect, with little effect. This was going to be a long night.
Zuko, Aang and Sokka were in the study with a similar situation. Zuko was pacing back and forth spouting out anything and everything that could possible go wrong.
" What if I can't remember what I'm supposed to say?" He said nervously. " Or trip and fall flat on my face?" He said becoming more anxious by the minute.
" Here... drink this." Sokka said as he handed Zuko a goblet. Which Zuko took and drank without question.
" What'd ya give him?" Aang whispered to Sokka.
" Just a little of my own special elixer." Sokka whispered grinning, and five minutes later Zuko was out cold.
" Geez, what's in that stuff?" Aang asked dumbfounded.
" It's a secret. I'd tell ya, but then I'd have to kill ya." Sokka said laughing, and Aang joined him.
Meanwhile Mai was so anxious it was driving the girls crazy. Ty Lee finally punched a few pressure points in just the right places and she dropped to the floor like a rag doll.
" Sorry guys, it had to be done. It was us or her." Ty Lee said, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Finally, the day had come. Mai and Zuko would be wed in one hour, and both of them were surprisingly calm. Haru had made it in early that morning and finally the gang was together again.
Aang was Zuko's best man, and Sokka a groomsman. The three of them stood at the front of the chapel in their finest linen suits. Katara had chosen well, Aang looked amazing in his gold linen suit, which had not gone unnoticed by almost every female in attendance.
Finally, the Fire Nations national anthem began and Katara entered the chapel and headed down the isle toward the men. Aang's jaw dropped open when he saw her, he had never seen her look more beautiful. Following slowly behind her was Ty Lee, the maid of honor, aslo looking quite radiant.
Zuko's palms began to sweat and he thought he might pass out as Mai entered the chapel, but just one look at his beautiful bride put all his worries to rest. Her fire red gown with gold lace and gems on the bodice and sleeves complemented her complexion and she looked absolutely gorgeous. And, for the first time that anyone could remember, she was smiling brightly.
The ceremony was specific to Fire Nation customs and both Zuko and Mai performed the marriage ritual flawlessly. Iroh was seated in the front row behind Zuko and a single tear ran down each of his cheeks as he smiled softly. His nephew was like a son to him and he couldn't have been happier.
After the ceremony everyone filed in to the banquet hall for a feast fit for a king. Midway through the meal, Aang stood and tapped his spoon on his crystal goblet to gather everyone's attention, it was customary for the best man to propose a toast to the newlyweds. Once the crowd quieted Aang began.
" I would like to propose a toast to the newly wed Fire Lord and Lady. As the Avatar I give my blessing to this union... and as a friend I wish them a life full of love and happiness. To Zuko and Mai... may their love remain strong, and their leadership bring peace and hope for us all." Everyone in the room stood up and the banquet room exploded with applause and cheers. After the room quieted down and everyone returned to their seats, Aang remained standing and began speaking again.
" I have one more wish for this evening and would like to share it with each and every one of you." Then Aang kneeled down on one knee next to Katara's chair and pulled the betrothal necklace from his pocket and held it up in front of her.
" Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, will you give me the honor of becoming my wife?" He said with beaming smile, and the whole room stood again and applauded and cheered, except for Katara. She had a frightened look on her face, then stood up from her chair and ran out of the banquet hall with tears streaming down her face.
The room suddenly became silent and Aang looked stunned and confused for a moment, then slowly stood back up. " Excuse me." He said, then quickly headed off in the direction that Katara had taken.
He found her leaning against the railing of the terrace sobbing, and was confused and wondering what he'd done wrong.
" Katara?" He said softly. " What's wrong? I thought you'd be pleased. Is it the necklace? If you don't like it I can make a new one." He added.
" It's not the necklace Aang." She said between sobs.
" Then what is it? Is it me? Don't you want to marry me?" Aang asked anxiously.
Katara remained silent for a moment, then spoke. " It's not you, Aang. It's me." She said
" I don't understand, what do you mean? " He asked confused.
" I can't marry you without you knowing the truth." She answered sobbing.
" Truth... what truth? Have you been lying to me? Don't you love me?" He asked in a choked voice.
" I love you more than anything, always have and always will. But I've been keeping something from you. Something that will effect our future." She answered
" What is it Katara? Whatever it is, we can work it out." He pleaded.
" Aang... " She said.
" Please, tell me what's wrong." He begged.
" I'm... I'm... pregnant." She stammered then began sobbing hysterically.
Aang was dumbfounded and stood in silence for several minutes as he processed what she had said.
" You're... pregnant?" He asked softly.
" Yes. I've been hiding it from you for weeks because I didn't know if you wanted another child. And I didn't want you to feel like you had to marry me to protect my honor." She answered whimpering.
" You're pregnant..." Aang said again, then a wide grin spread across his face and he scooped her up and spun around in a circle, repeating " You're pregnant!" excitedly, giggling like a school girl.
" You're... not... mad?" She asked quietly.
" Are you kidding me? This has to be one of the happiest days of my life!" He exclaimed. Then once again he knelt on one knee in front of her and held the necklace out in front of her and asked, " Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, will you give me the honor of becoming my wife?" Smiling softly.
" Really? You mean it?" She asked sniffling.
" I've never been more serious about anything else in my life." He replied firmly.
" Yes." She said barely above a whisper.
" Did you say ' yes' ?" He asked anxiously.
" Yes, Aang, I would be honored to be your wife." She said louder, smiling.
" Woo hoo!" He shouted, then scooped her up and spun around again.
" You've made me the happiest man in the world!" He exclaimed.
" Here, let me put this on you." He said, then swept her hair to one side to fasten the necklace in place. " Do you like it?" He asked nervously.
" Oh Aang, it's the most beautiful necklace I've ever seen." She said with tears of joy running down her face.
Just then, Sokka and Suki made their way on to the terrace and Sokka asked, " Katara, are you alright? Is everything okay? "
" Sokka, things couldn't be better." She said smiling.