Task: Write about a major milestone in a character's life. (Katara: Bumi's Birth)

Prompts: (object) outgrown clothes, (dialogue) "Look how big you've gotten!," (smell) alcohol, (genre) family, and (quote) "Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change."

Word Count: 1996

Main Characters: Katara, Aang

Summary: Katara and Aang ponder what life will be like for them when their first child is born.

Katara groaned as she rolled over and reached out for Aang. Her eyes flew open with a start when she discovered his side of the bed was vacant and cold. A moment later she came to her senses. She knew very well that Aang wasn't there, and that he would be gone for nearly two more weeks. That didn't stop him from getting into her dreams. She often woke thinking that he would be there. She frowned and looked down at her massive baby bump, hoping that the baby would wait for its father to get back before making an appearance.

"Good morning," she said rubbing her belly and looking down at it with love. "You better wait for Daddy to get home before you pop out." She said in a scolding tone and giggled at the absurdity of talking to an unborn child who certainly wouldn't remember anything Katara was saying. Still, it was comforting to her, so she knew she would do it again. Just as she had done many times before.

Out the window she noticed that the sun was high in the sky. It had to be well past noon. With a grunt of exertion, she pushed herself up and gingerly moved her feet from under the covers and onto the smooth wooden floor. She stood and stretched, trying to relieve her aching back to no avail, but her stomach rumbled loudly. Thankfully, out of hunger and not because of the baby. This was just another confirmation of how late into the day she had really slept.

It was time to get moving. Katara walked over to her closet quite briskly for a woman so far along in her pregnancy. A smile crosses her lips as she sifts through her hangers past several pairs of outgrown clothes. Every size bigger was one step closer to her first child's birth. That day was approaching fast, Katara knew, and she everyday she pondered if it was a boy or a girl. Even though her and Aang had agreed that he would pick the name of their first child, she couldn't help but think of names she wanted for their child. She flip-flopped quite a bit, but this morning she liked Kya, if it was a girl, and Pakku, if it was a boy. They were both Water Tribe names and both honored important people in her life. However, she knew that whatever name Aang picked, she would approve. She had tried to get him to tell her, or at least give her a clue, about any names he was leaning toward, but he refused, saying that he wanted to keep it a surprise with a smile and the typical mischievous glint that he had in his eyes.

Katara felt a warm tear stream down her cheek and clutched her chest. She missed him so much it caused her physical pain. She sighed, knowing that he was fine. But, that faith that she had in him didn't make dealing with his long absences any easier on her. She brushed the tear away and composed herself. There was no need to worry the Air Acolytes, and they surely would be anxious if she came out of her room with tears flowing freely down her face. She picked the first outfit she saw that fit her in her current form, a jade green outfit that had been a gift from Toph, put it on and headed for the kitchen. There was no point in staying in her room lamenting how much she missed her husband. She needed to keep busy to keep her spirits up. Her first order of business was getting some food in her stomach.

Instead of going to the shared dining room where the Acolytes ate, she headed for her and Aang's private dining quarters. She made a habit of eating with the Acolytes when Aang was away, but she figured it would be best to dine alone at the moment, just in case she succumbed to her emotions again.

As she opened the door the smell of stewing sea prunes caught her nose. She cocked an eyebrow and walked closer to the kitchen. None of the Air Acolytes would come into their private quarters without permission, and she doubted any of them even knew how to make sea prunes. The clanking sounds of someone clumsily cooking got louder with each steps she took. She wondered if Sokka had come for a surprise visit. Peeking her head around cautiously, she glimpsed the intruder. "Aang?" she asked her confusion clear on her beaming face.

He turned away from the pot he was tending with the spoon still in his hand. It splattered sea prune stew from the velocity of his movements. Katara laughed at his clumsiness. "Hey, sweetie!" He yelped, setting the spoon down as he rambled. "I got here early this morning and I didn't wanna bother you so-" He stopped speaking suddenly, scratching the back of his head as he looked her up and down.

"What?" Katara asked. She blushed in self consciousness.

"Look how big you've gotten!" He burst out in childlike euphoria.

Katara pursed her lips. She couldn't help but be a little put off by his off the cuff comment. They hadn't seen each other in just over three weeks and that's what he thought to say to her. She rolled her eyes, "yeah, Aang, that's what happens when a girl gets pregnant."

"I mean…" His words trailed off. "You look beautiful, too!" He exclaimed. Katara liked that much better.

"So...what brings you home so soon? I thought you'd be gone for at least another week or two." She asked earnestly, hoping that this wasn't just a quick visit before he returned to his Avatar duties.

He pulled her into a gentle hug, "what kind of father would I be if I missed the birth of our first child?" Katara just smiled in response. She couldn't find the right words to thank him. He was right. It was good for him to be here. Her chest tighten as tears of joy nearly started to flow again, but she was able to hold them back. "Now," he said holding her at arm's length by the shoulders, "leave the rest of the cooking to me. Go sit down. I'm making your favorite." He squinted in order to fit his wide smile on his face.

"I can smell it," she said with a wave and left the kitchen as her husband asked and sat at the low table dining table. While she waited, Aang came to the table with bowls, chopsticks, and other dining necessities. Each time they exchanged loving glances, but kept silent. Sometimes speaking wasn't required between them. It was a level of comfort that Katara cherished.

Katara felt water forming in her mouth when Aang finally came out with the sea prune soup. He ladled a heaping portion into her bowl before giving himself a considerably smaller amount.

Katara reached for her spoon but was stopped short. "Wait." Aang said. "I need one more thing."

"Oh, okay." Katara said, giving him a confused look as she lowered her spoon back to the table. He spun around and went back into the kitchen. When he emerged again he was carrying a decorative ceramic bottle in his right hand and a small cup in his left. He sat down next to Katara with one swift motion and then pulled the cork out.

"Whoa!" Katara stifled a cough as her nose was assaulted by the strength of the alcohol's odor.

Aang laughed at her reaction and poured himself a glass.

"The baby's not born yet, Aang. What are we celebrating?" Katara asked.

"Nothing," he said with a coy smile. "How else do you expect me to get this stuff down?"

Katara didn't quite understand, "what do you mean?"

"I need to mask the taste. Just a bit," he said with a wink.

"Oh, it can't be that bad!" She pinched his cheek in a motherly fashion. He mumbled something under his breath in response, but Katara couldn't catch it. "Hmmm?" She pressed.

"Nothing." Aang said and then took a small sip of sake.

"You know," Katara said. "It's not exactly fair that you're drinking without me since I can't have one, too." She gave him an exaggerated pouty face.

He placed that cup down and grasped her hand. "Should I stop?" He asked, his brows furrowed with concern.

"Oh, no. Aang," she said stroking face along his jawline. "I was just kidding." She added playfully.

"Well, alright, then." He kissed her on the cheek, released her hand, and took another sip from his cup. This one a bit larger than his first.

Katara took the opportunity to start on her sea prunes. She picked up her spoon once more and dunked it into the bowl of purple soup. She pulled out a hearty bite and put it in her mouth. All the flavors of her childhood exploded in her mouth. The saltiness is what she always loved the most about Water Tribe food. It was like eating the Ocean and it made her feel at home. She smiled a toothless grin and some of the soup dripped down her chin. Aang chuckled and handed her a napkin. She took it and quickly wiped her face. "Thank you, sweetie!" She hugged Aang tightly and pecked him on the lips. "I have to say, you are getting better at cooking Water Tribe cuisine."

"Thanks." He answered. "Eat up before it gets cold." He ran his fingers through her hair and stole one more kiss before Katara returned to her meal.

Katara didn't really need Aang's encouragement to eat her full. It was hard to find good Water Tribe food in Republic City, much less fresh produce from the Poles. After a few bites, Katara realized that Aang must have stopped by the North or South Pole to get the ingredients fresh. There was no way that she could find such flavorful sea prunes at the markets in the city. Katara cleaned out her first bowl and then a second before she was satiated. She glanced over at Aang's bowl. It sat empty as well. "See." She said matter-of-factly. "Not bad, huh?"

"Yeah," he agreed, 'not bad." The curl in his lips told Katara that he was lying, but she decided to let him off the hook. He did a good job cooking, and then eating his meal.

Suddenly, Aang gave her a serious look. "What is it, Aang?" Katara asked. She never liked what he had to say when he gave her that look.

"Katara," he said, placing his hand softly over that back of her hand and interlocking his fingers into hers. "I know I've been gone a lot recently, and I'm sorry...but, I'll try harder to be here more often. For you," his gray eyes boring into her with his intensity. "and for our child."

"Aang," Katara said, matching his intensity. "You're doing amazingly. I'm so proud of you. I know you'll do your best to be here for our family, but I promise, we'll understand when you have to be gone."

"I don't know if our children will be so forgiving…" He said gravely. "You're the most important thing in the world to me! I don't want to fail you!"

"You won't!" She wrapped her arms around him. "You never have, and you never will. Listen," she pulled away from him, so she could look deeply into his eyes. "I know this is a big change, and I'm scared, too...but I know we'll be a happy, loving family."

Aang sat there silently for a moment, and then sighed. "Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change...right?"

"Right." Katara said with conviction. "We have to face this change head on." She squeezed his hand tightly. "And we'll love every minute."

"Promise?" Aang asked.

"Promise."

Pro-bending League (season 2) semi-final round. Go Wolfbats! Enjoy :)