Chapter Text
“I can’t do this”
As silently as Izumi can, her foot falls beneath the soft wool rug of the bedroom floor carefully. She knows her mother can’t sense this, but what's to say her father or others won’t hear her?
With nothing but sincere hopes that no one caught the loud crash she caused by accidentally bumping into the console table in the hall—Izumi makes her way to the adjacent room.
“Lin? Lin Beifong wake up!” the warm whisper of Izumi loomed over the young girl's sleeping figure, finally waking her sister up after the fifth attempt.
A groggy messy haired child slowly sits up from the bed. Rubbing sleep away from her eyes as she stares at the person who roused her from slumber.
Lin is supposed to be sleeping— matter of fact, they should be asleep. But Izumi is far too curious for her own good. Honestly, she ought to listen to what should or should not be done at her age… but maybe exemptions can be made? People do that all the time with dad.
Okay, just one time.
Even if waking your sister in the middle of the night is a part of the ‘shouldn’t’.
…On second thought maybe Grandmother Ursa was right about curiosity killing the cat.
Awh, dang it!
——————
Zuko in his still sleep deprived state remains hyper aware— immediately jumping at the distant noise when their bedroom door creaked open.
Quickly standing beside the bed, his body automatically stood at a protective stance. One arm draped itself over Toph’s bump, using his body as a shield over her sleeping form.
“Dad?”
His tense muscles immediately relax— the Firelords singular working eye now adjusted to the dark environment, finally laying sight upon the two tiny figures by the door.
The older child seemingly leads a groggy sibling along with her like an accessory.
“My little turtleducks what are you doing awake?” his head quickly turns at the clock beside toph. It's still too early.
The two approach their father. Zuko silently shuts the door, peeping outside to check if anyone is awake before twisting the knob.
Izumi simply drags her little sister toward the bed. Faintly drawing out the figure of their mother fast asleep.
Phew.
“You didn’t tell us the story of how you fell in love dad!” Izumi pouts, as she feels the warmth of her fathers hand push stray hairs away from her face.
Zuko's heart softens, now isn’t the appropriate time. But he can’t possibly let his girls wait until morning… Can he?
“Alright, but we have to be really quiet. We can talk about it, but I want you two to promise you won’t wake mama up.”
“Promise!” Izumi responds a little loudly, earning her a quiet shush from her father.
“Prom…” Lin yawns “--mise..”
“You know…you girls turned your dad into a big softie” The three peep onto the bed, finding Toph facing directly where they stood.
After all these years her ability to accurately sense where people are never fails to impress— or scare him, really.
“Pebble? ‘zumi?” Toph does her best to sit, hair sticking up in all directions. The sight made Zuko recall the familiar moment minutes ago, as he tried to push stray hairs away from his daughter's face.
Zuko responds, “Yes my love, they’re here” he ushers the children toward the bed.
“Mgh…” Toph pondered thoughtfully in her sleep deprived state. “Was Lin still awake or did you drag her out of bed again?” She finally sits up, trying to rub consciousness back into her system. Reminding Izumi of the shared trait her sister and mother have.
The older girl responds with a meek “Yes” not needing a name to know who her mother is talking to.
“What, yes? I asked two questions young lady.” Tophs yawns.
“I dragged her mom… B-but just because I wanted Lin to hear the story of you and dad’s!”
A fondness swells within Toph’s chest “Hey.. there's no rushing ‘zumi, we have time for that tomorrow y’know ” her voice cracks, still a little raspy from sleep. “Get the girls in bed Zuko, they can sleep here tonight.” while patting the space she specifically created.
“Come on my little turtleducks” he scoops the girls in both hands, making their way to the large bed. Lin automatically cradles her head on her father’s shoulders.
…
The warmth of the bed erases all Izumi’s protests for staying up late… scooting closer to her mothers bump, Toph senses the smaller body practically clinging onto her.
“Ma, do you think the baby is sleeping?” Izumi looks over her shoulder to check on her sister, already snoozing on their father’s unmoving arms, looking like he’s close to sleeping himself.
“Thats all the baby ever does ‘zumi” Toph rubs at the silky locks of her daughter’s head, caressing the ends of the long tresses of hair
“Time flies fast” A singular laugh rumbles over her mothers chest “Before I know it you'll be little kids running away from home.”
Toph can practically hear her mothers voice in verbatim, spoken to her when she first broke the news to her parents that their only daughter was with child.
That was more than a decade ago.
As much as she’d hate to admit it— her mother was right, children do grow fast.
Over the years Toph developed a habit of becoming careful with her daughters’ head full of hair. Maybe because it reminds her of how far it has been since she first held them in her very own arms after months of waiting… though she’d never admit that out loud.
This sentiment slowly developed until her practice of refusing to cut their hair even by an inch became apparent, she felt this weird sentimental attachment to their overgrown baby hairs.
Damn this emotional maternal shit.
“… and speaking of sleep princess, I think you should be doing that as well. Sleep now Izumi.” Toph reaches for the girl’s forehead, before bending down to place an affectionate kiss.
Across the bed Toph doesn't sense the man looking over her and Izumi.
He could get used to quiet nights like this.
——————
“Dad, wake up!”
The first thing that hits Zuko is the blinding brightness of the room. Hands crawling to his head, willfully giving up at the attempt of opening tired eyes… when suddenly, tiny fingers gently rub at his temples trying to keep him away from falling back asleep.
Raising his head he doesn’t expect to see two excited eyes staring back at him. One golden like his, and another a sea moss green, such as the clouded ones of his wife.
“He’s awakeee!” Lin shouts toward someone within the room.
It was still quite early, and aside from all the girls’ shouting all he could hear from the background are—
“But moom! I– no, we want to go down to the beach”
“Dad get up! Hurry while it's still morning!” Lin’s too loud voice echoed across their chambers.
“It will still be morning for a good few hours, Lin, we can go later” Toph then adds “Breakfast, tutor then beach. There, that's final”
Izumi then says something that only Zuko and Uncle Iroh would know. Given that only the old man quotes about “rising with the sun”.
“I think visits to uncle's tea house have been paying off a little too well” he said in a groggy voice.
“Well the old man isn’t here right now is he? So you’ll have to follow me princess” Toph says in a mocking but serious manner.
Tense muscles physically protested once more when Zuko got up from the bed, lightly scolding the girls to stop jumping on the mattress. He swiftly walked over to the other side of the bed, greeting his wife a quiet good morning, the two seemingly still on unclear grounds.
He helps her get up from the bed… if Zuko’s body feels terrible this morning then he’s sure Toph feels twice as much. She touched his forearms. He knew there were still things left unspoken from last night, but he was damn glad she let him stay by her side.
A loud groan from Toph, he looks at her concerned, but grabs the courage to ask “Back..?”
She smiles apologetically, “Yeah..”
Kissing her cheeks, he takes a good look at the area her hand is putting pressure on. One of his warm hands snaked on her back, replacing her fingers with the slight press of his own.
She winces at the sudden pressure, brows furrowed as a visible droplet of sweat falls from her forehead. His eyes try to scan Toph’s reaction, who as usual was pretending like it didn’t hurt.
“Better? We can take a walk later, by the beach if you want? Hopefully the pain would have eased by then” he says concerned over the state of seeing Toph constantly experience back pain deeper into the pregnancy.
Her sightless eyes turn to him, hands creeping up his face as she pats his cheeks. “I’d like that, yeah. Thanks Zuko”
He sputters, surprised at the first name basis she established this morning. “Wh—what? Seriously ‘Zuko’? Toph Beifong is all that I really am to you now?” his face drops playfully; however, behind that mask of sarcasm lies a hurtful feeling blooming deep within his chest.
He knew that what happened yesterday was far from ideal but—
“Don’t push it sparky”
He guesses it was better than nothing. “There we are, I was worried that you—“
Almost instantly Toph held up a finger up to his mouth, effectively shutting off any train of thought. The two slowly make their way out the door… her finger still on his mouth and a familiar warm hand still on her back.
“Come along girls we have the entire morning ahead of us” Toph murmurs as she holds down a laugh at the sight of her very frustrated husband.
——————
When her hands finally dropped. The sound of footsteps resonate within the walls of the large estate. It was with a funny thought, that while the entirety of the royal family’s staff lay sound asleep within their cots. The said family itself were slowly sneaking down the stairs.
“Are you okay?”
Toph sighs exasperatedly, “Yes sparky you have been asking me if I was okay for every step we take, geez! It has only been two steps since.”
She looks back at where the children stand looking at their parents from the top of the staircase.
“Ma! Can I swim in the sea later?” Lin whispers eagerly. The child’s face scrunched up as morning air passed by the open window.
…
When they finally reached the bottom of the stairs and into the estate’s kitchen, Zuko reached for his oldest and wiped her sleep-ridden face with a damp towel.
He did the same for Lin who was now busy munching on a firecracker bun that dad reheated, when Zuko finally answered her question “We’ll only let you swim when you can finally eat without having crumbs on the floor every other second”
“That’s okay, we can save the crumbs for the turtleducks at the palace dad!”
Toph, who was quietly nursing a cup of jasmine tea, snickered. “Exactly! Your daughter is a genius” she brags to absolutely no one, dragging a laugh out of the Firelord as well.
…
Moments pass, the early morning seemingly casts a spell on everyone as they quietly fill their stomachs with the quick meal Zuko prepared.
That is, until Izumi cut through the silence.
“Oh! I got one! We can practice our stances there mom, and— and you can tell us all about your love story when we get there, a—and! And—“
“M’kay!” Toph cuts Izumis’ habit of early morning rambling, that the young heir really believes is her way of “planning”
Toph definitely has suspicions that she heard that idea from her father.
“—-if everyone is so eager to go out today, it wouldn’t hurt to return a little later in the morning, right dad?” Toph looks over to her husband who is in the middle of making a grimace when suddenly— “Great! Dad agrees, let’s go girls down the beach we go.” She ushers the children down the giant oak doors.
Leaving the Firelord with absolutely no choice but to follow.
Zuko simply sighs and grumbles all while packing everything they need for a rushed beach day.
——————
The grains of sand felt finer than he last remembered, his foot falls muffled by the loose and coarse sand. In the distance, he sees the girls chasing each other with seashells they likely have picked up from agni knows where. He laughs when they suddenly trip on rock that he could swear wasn’t there earlier.. one that could only mean someone bent.
“Having fun?” He gazes at her adoringly, somehow Toph looks heavenly against the early morning rays of the sun— slowly peeking through the horizon.
“Yeah, if early morning pain is your kind of thing for sure sparky, I'm having the time of my life.”
Fully expecting she'd pull a laugh out of her husband she turns toward where he is supposed to be. The silence stretches on for far longer than necessary…
Suddenly the joke didn’t land as funny as Toph expected. “I'm sorry honey”’ Zuko raised an arm and held her back gently. Feeling guilty at her sudden remark.
Which in all honesty he really was to blame. They both agreed on two, but when one simple afternoon became too hot to bear… suddenly this is where they find themselves now, with a third on the way.
He kissed her forehead as his other hand wipes at the sheen sweat on her forehead.
“What’re you sorry for? Acting as if I wasn’t a willing participant as well” she ridicules him.
“Yeah but this is different— Had I not—”
“It was no one's fault—” A sudden sharp intake of breath interrupted her, it was surely loud enough to startle the girls as well.
Izumi's golden eyes shifted toward her parents' curiosity growing on her limbs before getting distracted as her sister attempted to tackle her down.
“Toph! Are you okay?”
“—yep! Totally fine that was just a too hard ja—m”
A very loud groan exits her throat. Her forehead gathered wrinkles, the pain apparently became too sharp to mask by now.
“Spirits, Would it help if we sit down for a bit?”
“N-no! No, It’ll only make the pain worse” her fingers held onto his large ones tightly.
Zuko looks at her frowning “Toph you are worrying me right now, you say it's fine when it's really not. Stop pretending and just tell what you feel, how does it hurt?”
Silence for a moment, only Toph’s labored breaths and the sound of the waves crashing where the girls attempt to chase the reclining waves can be heard. The seagulls squawk in the distance, he turns his head looking where the girls are at.
When the silence stretched for far longer he said,
“Fine then, I’ll send for Katara”
Zuko saw her body visibly recline, cringing at the thought of having to send for Katara.
“No, no we can’t” Toph said firmly “You forget sweetness has brats too, it's a long way to here from— and” she winces painfully.
The more minutes pass by, the more faint and distressed Zuko grows at seeing Toph shoot up in pain. His warm hands could only do so much to ease the pain.
“They only have Appa, I’m sure the giant creature would appreciate me sparing him from a journey just for back pain” she attempts to lighten the mood, but Zuko was not having any of it.
“Toph you’re pregnant”
“I'm pregnant not disabled sparky”
“Well at this rate honey, I have a great fear you just might. I’ll send for a healer, there must be someone in this island”
“I told you already–”
“Mom!” Izumi came running breathlessly toward the two adults. “You said to remind you to read Aunt Katara's letters yesterday. I forgot!”
“Thank you ‘zumi, but I've already read sugar queen’s letter.“
For a fleeting instant Toph put on the mask back on; the wincing Toph earlier, was nowhere to be found the moment she was faced with her daughter.
There truly is still so much to learn about her.
Seeing Izumi expectantly wait for information about the said letter, Toph continued speaking— “sugar queen said, Kya is starting to learn waterbending.” His wife smiles, patting the soft brown tuft of their daughter's hair.
“OH! Do you know momma! Kya and I are best friends!” A screeching voice that wasn't there earlier appeared beside the Firelord.
Lin busied herself by burying her face between Toph's rounded stomach.
The sweet laughter he knew for so long echoed “I know darling, I am well aware“.
Zuko’s faint voice in the distance advised Lin to be cautious with her mother.
By now he thinks it has been well past an hour since they got here, the sunlight peaked higher in the sky, enveloping the beach slowly.
“Good morning your majesties” A voice made the couple turn, looking toward the speaker, Zuko recognizes him as the soldier in charge of the estate gardens, the soldier looked no older than twenty at least.
“Firelord!” the soldier saluted, “A message has arrived from The Royal Caldera City”
He turned to Toph who was staring at the ground, toes feeling the rough sand— likely “looking” at the young soldier who spoke. Zuko raised his hand to the soldier, signaling for standby as he turned to speak to his wife.
“I’ll be back” he said, slightly rubbing small circles across her back, “I will talk to the estate house keeper and send for a healer while you girls are here, there must be at least a midwife around…”
“I told you I'm fine sparky, If a midwife shows up don't blame me if I send her back running, go now— and judging from how your soldier is fritzy it must be more than just that old man complaining about paperwork”
She heard a shuffle, a moment later Zuko practically shoved three packed sandwiches he made in her hands “Eat Toph, I wouldn't want one of our soldiers to be buried in the sand by mid-morning, I’ll ask for someone to bring seats and an umbrella so you're comfortable, be back in a bit okay?”
She grumbled, saying something about not being able to sit— when suddenly, another set of footsteps arrived. It must be another soldier.
“Gentlemen”
The two men surprised, looking at their Firelord expectantly awaiting an order. Zuko nods accordingly “Are any of you a firebender?”
The one to the left, who newly arrived stammered at the sudden inquiry “I– I am my lord” he keeps his head low, body at attention under the scorching gaze of their lord.
“Great, come over here. I need you to administer warmth to the Firelady”
As expected, a scoff “Spirits, what?! I don't need—”
When the soldier replaced where the Firelord’s hand had been hovering, he made sure an ample amount of warmth kept their lady warm. The soldier of course did not miss the specific way his majesty said “Careful” a warning to kindly not touch the firelady.
He turned to his wife afterwards and whispered “Toph please, you’re in pain, If you refuse to get help, then let this at least ease you somewhat.”
She sighs defeatedly, the warmth does wonders at least.
He turned to the young man from earlier “Now, shall we?” the soldier nodded and followed the lord toward the flight of stairs leading back to the estate.
The promise of comfort reassuring Toph that he’ll be back soon.
—————
The morning sun was high above the sky, not enough to burn but to simply warm when she once more heard the familiar steps of her husband.
“Spirits you really didn't sit, did you?” his familiar warmth settled behind her, calloused hands rubbed at her stomach as the broody firelord peppered kisses over his wife's cheek.
The soft hum of her throats vibrates on his skin, “I told you so”
For a while, the couple only listened to the sound of waves crashing by the beach, breaking the serenity of the moment when his wife's warm voice called.
“Hey dad” Toph greeted teasingly earning her a tight hug from the big guy “while you were gone. Lin suggested we go to—”
Speaking of the devil, the girl practically sprinted all across the beach, all while shouting—
“Dad can we gotoairtempleislandpleaseitsbeenawhilesince—-“
*a large inhale*
“wesawkyaandIreallymisshanginhourwithhersocanwepretty PLEASEE!”
Toph snickered “Well you beat me to it kid, I thought you said I should tell dad?”
“No thank you mom, I already did, see?” Lin grinned with a proud demeanor as if it was the most important thing in her little world.
A moment passed, there were only the noises typical on a beach. The moment stretched far long enough for Izumi to reach the commotion all across the private beach.
Lin was practically begging her father with those beady eyes Zuko learned to love so much.
Really, The idea was tempting, however after the chamberlain's message, traveling this late into their makeshift vacation really makes it—
“I'm not sure if we can pebble”, Toph beat him to it.
Throughout all the years they were together Zuko has learned to study Toph in more ways than one… he especially made sure to understand his partner on a deeper level, away from her physical bearing alone. These years of trial and error had taught him that his beloved may not always mean what she says, that the surface doesn't always explain what’s hidden beneath.
Just like how Toph pretends she is not in pain— he figures that she badly wants to travel as well. After all, it also has been a while since they found an opportunity other than staying within the palace walls.
However a tinge of hurt still traveled across his chest at the quick response, fully knowing that she assumed his silence, told her what his words couldn't.
In a bold move, Zuko retracted his arms from her figure, earning him a badly masked scowl, Toph raised her eyebrow expectant of at least receiving an answer from the Firelord.
… not a cold, physical withdrawal.
Well If he wants to act so smart this morning, then so be it!
She felt his tall stature make a beeline to leave the beach. The girls stared at each other from disappointment, all that convincing their mother endured earlier went in vain—- and unfortunately for Zuko, his wife is deep in this emotional maternal shit.
Toph tried to keep calm, failing when annoyance seeped though her voice, she was not just going to sit still while her girls’ hopes of a vacation got crushed.
”Just where do you think you're going?” she shouted a little too loudly.
He displayed a smirk that could be felt through the ground, a seemingly violent Toph was ready to break.
“... to Air Temple Island, girls. Are you girls coming?”
What..?
“Last to leave the beach gets left behind!” Zuko provoked the girls to a race up the estate— squeals that almost hurt too much to hear resounded across the beach. he trailed behind to assist Toph.
“Consider yourself spared Firelord”
“Yes ma’am” he snapped, earning a hearty punch on his shoulder.
—————
The trip to Air Temple Island was smoother than they expected, that afternoon their little family already left the estate. Zuko took it upon himself to drive the airship on his own, refusing to bring soldiers with them on board. The day passed by surprisingly quickly with the girls having exhausted themselves during their beach day— fell asleep 20 minutes into the flight.
Which left him and Toph to share a hearty conversation, long before sleep eventually caught up to the earthbender as well.
It took roughly a day and a few hours to finally reach their destination, dusk was over the yonder when the familiar hull of the Firelord’s airship landed on the island's platform.
“Aunt Katara! Lin practically threw herself at Katara, seemingly being more overjoyed at seeing the lady; rather than the little girl she reasoned to her father with.
“Hi sweet girls!” Katara bent down to press a sweet kiss on Izumi’s cheek, all while hugging ‘a too excited’ Lin tightly. The waterbender laughed heartily when Lin jumped multiple times urging the woman to carry her.
“Oh you two! It's been so long” Katara got up and hugged Toph warmly “Toph! You got so big already!”
“Well hello to you too, sugar queen.”
That earned her a laugh— finally aware of how her reaction sounded. Zuko quickly greeted Katara with a warm hug before heading back to the airship to grab a few things. The two women started to walk toward the temple.
“I received your letter rather late, dear… I couldn't prepare much in advance, sorry”
“Psh, relax, you speak as if we didn't sleep on dirt as teenagers.”
“Well this is different Toph!” Katara grumbled still holding an eager Lin whose head was practically spinning at the unfamiliar location. Never has she, in all five years of her life, have had the opportunity to visit the air temple… until now.
“You're a Firelady now!” she says teasingly, woefully adding the fact that her friend is at a much higher and respectable station in society now. “Besides! I wouldn't want to leave a lasting impression that I–”
Toph snaps frustratedly “Oh there is Madame Fussy Britches again! And to think that I lost you long ago” she quips sarcastically, as an attempt at rolling her eyes—or whatever normal people who see do when they're annoyed, was made.
An unsuccessful attempt too.
Izumi, noticing the rising argument between the two adults, quickly chimed in.
“Aunt Katara, where are they? Oh! I almost forgot" Izumi took something out from the little bag over her shoulder.
While Izumi reaches for something—asking assistance from her mother. Katara answers, “Oh they're not here to greet you guys at the moment, but they’ll be around soon.”
She then turned to Toph “Aang took the kids to republic city, he’s apparently teaching Kya and Bumi to ride Appa now… kids grow up seriously fast” she says shaking her head at the ridiculous concept of time.
“Damn right they do—” Toph tries to stabilize her hold on the sling bag, “You're quite forgetful now ‘zumi” Toph remarked helping Izumi reach the packaging.
“Sorry momma, I— ah! Firecracker buns” she proudly presents.
Katara lightens up “Ooh your uncle Aang will love this! why don't you hold onto that first then give it to him yourself, they’ll be back any day now.” Izumi nods, the waterbender looks toward the sky patiently waiting for her children—sure of the fact they’ll enjoy having the girls as company.
The air temple at this hour is still abuzz, with a handful of air acolytes finishing up their duties for the day. The sunset indicated it would be an hour before dinnertime.
Zuko caught up to the two walking ahead.
“Need help sparky?” she reached for his forearm, seemingly surprised at the fact he managed to catch up while carrying three duffle bags full of their belongings, with two bags belonging to the girls alone.
In all honesty Toph doesn't even know how much she’s packed, who knows until when they’ll stay here… All that she does know is that she doesn't want to return to the stuffy palace anytime soon.
“No thank you dear” Zuko kissed Toph’s forehead reassuring her, surprisingly Toph didn't find it in herself to argue about it. Who is she even kidding? He can carry that on his own.
“No wonder you're expecting a third” Katara jabbed playfully as Toph lightly punched her arm. “Don’t think you're so innocent yourself sweetness, I recall that out of the both of us you're the first one to find yourself knocked up”
“H–hey! Not so loud”
“Geez, still prudish much?”
Zuko sighs, bracing himself to witness more of this over the weekend “Have you told her Toph?”
“Wait.. you came here to tell me something?”
“Well as surprising as it sounds Katara, we came here for actual reasons outside of just wanting to annoy you”
“Yeah, yeah whatever spill it!”
“Geez it's not gossip, it's my back sweetness” as if her body was listening closely, a shock of pain lit up her lower back. Toph stopped in her tracks, the sharp inhale of her breath hurt too…
Zuko held onto her hand, her tight grip making him wince as well “Oh spirits Toph..”
“Let’s get you inside”
…
“Well…” Katara bends the water back inside the waterskins she keeps by her medicine table. A sigh of somewhat relief leaves her lips as she gathers up her diagnosis of Toph’s condition.
“Good news is that the back pain you experience doesn't affect the baby in any way—but the bad news… is that your back pain’s most likely caused by an unhealed injury you sustained in your youth.”
Toph slowly gets up from the bed “Hm” she thinks curiously, buttoning up the remaining articles of her green tunic, defeated by the fact that sugar queen advised her to switch to a comfortable dress later on for easier treatment access.
“What injury do you think it was caused by?” she asks Toph, who looks unsure of the answer herself.
“If you can still recall, then I might be able to find a specific treatment for this. However if we can't, then I might just do the general one just to be sure, but it will take longer..”
“Im not really sure Katara, it's been so long since I took track of all my battles, also why has this only appeared now? I’ve survived two pregnancies without a scratch. Then suddenly this third one caught all the back pain?”
“Pregnancy affects women in different ways, it just does that. I mean for one, I've noticed this bump is bigger than your previous two. So along with the unhealed injury, this likely caused a strain on your spine and pelvic joints as well.” Toph scoffs ridiculously tired of the complications.
“Well stick to the general treatment then” the waterbender finally said.
…
Before they took their leave Katara raised a hand, “Can I?”... surprisingly the other nodded, hands placed on her stomach as well, feeling for any movement.
A bump.
“Oh! You're a strong little fella aren't you?"
Toph cackles “What's so funny?” her friend questioned, looking at her as if she grew three heads.
“Mind your manners sweetness, its a she”
“Oh… well hello there princess” the warmth of two knowing smiles filled the hallways as the two finally made their way to the common area.
…
It had been a bleak few hours since they got here, Lin placed her face against the glass of their family’s shared bedroom, recalling something mother said about her and Izumi having a hard time sleeping in an unfamiliar place.
Her naturally warm breath fogged against the cool glass— she drew or at least attempted to.. Illustrate Druk. Failing each time in waking her father up to flaunt her 'masterpiece’.
This attempt happened a few more times before Zuko finally gave up on napping altogether.
He’ll just have to catch up on sleep later tonight.
Lin was in the middle of attempting a lasting fog drawing, thanks to a little help from Zuko’s bending, when a large groan echoed outside the window overlooking the courtyard.
He swears he physically saw his daughter's eyes dilate—- like how the retracting of water before it came crashing down the shore into a wave.
Oh no.
“‘ZUMI! THEY’RE HEREEEE!!!”
—————
“Took you guys long enough” Katara greets her children with an affectionate hug while greeting Aang with a hug and kiss.
“... and here she lectures to me about getting a room” she snickers as she reaches her husband, arms snaking up to hold his forearm on instinct.
“How are you?” He looks over to her, brows still knitted with concern over his wife, as he’s silently asking for permission if she wants the familiar heat on her lower back—- an invitation in which Toph gracefully accepts.
“Nothing serious, let’s talk about this over dinner sparky, for now a big ole reunion should be celebrated” she kisses one side of his cheeks; sure that despite the cool air of the evening, Zuko is definitely red in the face.
As the adults gather to exchange quick greetings, the voice of an older boy shouts loud enough for the adults to overhear. “Look! Tenzin’s ears are turning red!” Bumi points out to Kya and Izumi.
“You guys are soo cute!” Kya shakes Izumi at the sight: It was Lin holding out a singular firecracker bun to a blushing Tenzin.
Toph could only laugh at the kids,
“I do not like how that is looking” Zuko’s eyes narrow at the sight. A big hand clasps over his back, Aang’s silly smile and laughter takes the tension away “Alright, I’m sure everyone’s starving, let's go ‘Flameo-dad’.
…
Over dinner the loud clinks of silverwares against plates full of katara’s lovely cooking can be heard. Hearty conversations between adults and children—questions across public knowledge, to downright personal questions were asked. Laughter and warm smiles filled the air.
Both families have a lot to catch up on, it was pretty nice to be outside of the palace every once in a while, Zuko silently thought.
The sound of Aang's laughter subsided, the silence now growing comfortable now, “I never thought I'd see the day Toph would willingly wear a dress. It looks good on you, I’ve got to say..”
“See! Exactly what I’ve been telling her this pregnancy makes you glow” Katara made the mistake of adding in.
Toph's face reacts before she could even say anything, mildly freaking out she says, “Why is everyone acting as if it's my first pregnancy hello? It's the third!”
Zuko moves another plate of dumplings within Toph's reach... Taking it upon himself to check if the girls are eating themselves.
“Which makes it all the more special!” Aang says food in his mouth, muffing his words. Katara, who was annoyed, offers a glass of water for the Avatar to help with drowning the food down.
Aang gulps audibly "Didn't you say you’d stop at two though? Y’know its important to know your limits Toph” he dares to add, knowing damn well Toph can't see, still, he waves a chopstick in front of her as if that would effectively scold the grown adult for her decisions.
The man beside her who was busy removing the bones of the bangus fish as per his wife’s request visibly recoiled at Aang's words.
Well it was certainly one thing to hear Katara berate them as if they knew better, but it was another thing for the Avatar to treat Toph like a kid. The two might be a little older, but they certainly are not any better than the 12 year olds they once were.
“Geez twinkletoes! Acting like you aren't my age and have like a bazillion babies as well!”
“Well technically I have three—”
“Is there any difference between your definition of three and my definition of three? Because these seem like the same numbers to me.” Toph spat out.
“Plus! Does chastising people run in the family? The more you spend time with Katara the more similar you two are, it's becoming scary—”
“That's enough! Here you go…” Katara pushed another plate of dumplings near Toph’s reach, also forcibly feeding her husband some to keep his mouth shut. “That’ll keep you two nice and quiet for a few minutes”.
Before the two could protest, Katara asked “SO” making her voice loud enough to shut all noise, before bringing it down to a normal volume once again “How long will you guys be staying?”
Zuko, grateful for his good friend's intervention, responded “We figure until the weekend.”
Toph's eyes visibly grew at that— her voice died in her throat when Katara, bless her senses, said “Well actually I was thinking that you guys might need to stay for a few more days, turns out Toph's back pain isn't just a simple side effect.”
Katara halves a slice of firecracker buns to give to Bumi. Both of them share an intolerance to spice apparently.
“The treatments will take a while since Toph is… in a delicate situation. I have to be extra careful for both their sake.”
He completely forgot about that. “How long do you think?”
“A week or so… also you can't put much strain and stress on Toph much its bad for recovery and the baby”
Putting her foot deep within the stone ground hearing the familiar spike of Katara's heartbeat. Toph was grateful for her friend who, as privy and annoying as she can be at times, was great at helping with whatever she can—even if it may be for a few more days on vacation.
Zuko hesitates a little but says, “Of course, we can stay for a while, it'll be good for all of us.”
“Great! We can go to Republic City and visit HQ once the treatment is over. I haven’t been there for a while.” Toph eagerly chews on a piece of the deboned fish Zuko gave.
“You haven't been there since you were pregnant Toph’
“Yeah, like I said in a while… Does sugarqueen agree with my plans?”
Katara looks up from her plate “Yep sure” continuing to munch on her food.
“Well she doesn't seem so sure to me” Zuko narrows his eyes, answering skeptically at what he assumes is a ‘tag team’ sort of alliance between the two.
Katara stares down at the Firelord across from her, “I'm serious, if the treatment goes well.. Then it won't hurt to let you go.”
That reassures him at least.
—————
Just as planned, roughly a week after Kataras’ successful treatment and a few days of Toph’s recovery— their little family made its way to Republic City. They packed some of their bags and stayed for a day at Toph's house, after making a surprise appearance at the HQ.
Safe to say the institution was still up in one piece thanks to trusted individuals, who were busy holding the fort down while their Chief was on leave.
It was even more surprising that rumors of their chief being pregnant were true, Toph was already sure that some of these fuckers won bets based on these rumors… Which surprisingly doesn't bother her one bit—If anything, Toph was sad that she wasn't a part of making the bets herself.
Toph already had plans to hopefully return to Air Temple Island sometime later, before going back to Caldera City…
When Zuko suddenly suggested,
“Why don't we go to your parents' house? It's just a few days' travel from here, we've extended our stay for quite some time now, that we might as well visit them while we’re here…”
Well Toph was awfully quiet, “Since you know, the children don't get many opportunities to do so.”
“Yeah no, sorry Sparky, not in the mood. Plus I'm sure we’re already needed back at the palace— I mean for all we know the nation might already be in shambles or something” Toph grumbled, reaching for the jar of jasmine tea leaves on the upper shelf of her kitchen.
Zuko immediately reached what she was aiming for.
“No.. dear I don't think so, you forget that I’ve asked mother and the grand chamberlain to take over in the meantime. Plus the palace secretary keeps me updated with lengthy letters daily.”
“Yeah no chance we need to go back sparky” she tries not to face him by turning her back, pretending to be occupied with steeping tea and chopping up whatever she can.
All while knowing that Zuko is in charge of breakfast.
“Since when have you been so eager to go back and meet the grand chamberlain? Last I recalled you weren't very fond of the man.” He laughs at the display of actions very much unlike the wife he knows.
When silence except the cackle and sizzle of fried eggs stretched over them for a long time he continued, “Also, haven’t you seen the messenger hawks that reach Air Temple Island everyday? In addition to the one this morning by your window?”
“Yes, which is why it is all the reason why we should go back, your poor birds are exhausted and frankly so am I”
“Exhausted? Of what—”
Oh.
Ohh.
“Have you and your parents fought or something?” he hugs her from behind, the big wall of heat she has for a husband, starts to corner her.
“No.” she tries to ignore him.
“No?” He asks suspiciously, already seeing through his wife. “Then why are you so hesitant to visit them?”
She suddenly found it entertaining to re-arrange the cups and utensils on the counter. “Toph there's something you're not telling me.”
“Mother will see me” she murmurs, almost easy to miss had he not listened closely.
“Exactly Toph, we are visiting them… so your mom will see you”
“No! You don't get it” she turned to him the distressed expression of his wife took the Firelord by surprise “I was planning to go to them! N-not just now.”
He raised an eyebrow expectantly, no matter how invested he is in their conversation— couldn't really afford to burn the eggs; so briskly, the Firelord made his way to the pan.
“Toph..”
She sighed audibly, “Okay it's because they don't know!”
Egg chaos aside… he questions, “They don't know what?”
“You know.. “ Toph meekly points a finger to her rounded stomach.
“What!?”
She clasps a hand over her husband’s loudmouth. “Spirits Zuko! Would you keep it down?! I swear if the girls wake up at this hour I will–”
He blinks repeatedly, gently removing the hand over his mouth; loudly whispering “So you've been meaning to tell me these seven.. “
“Eight”
“Eight months! They don't know? Is this the reason why you wanted to keep this, he pointed to her stomach, a secret?!”
She looked at her husband offensively, she felt around for his hovering hand and swatted it away. You speak as if you didn't do this!
“Wait no sorry honey—” he placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead, easing the annoyance down. “But, what happened to that letter I sent to Gaoling?”
“It got lost in the mail..?” she offers him a weak grin.
“The messenger hawk got lost?!”
“No! Wait okay! First of all, I wanted this pregnancy to be somewhat ‘a secret’ because someone told me that you have to be extra careful with announcing the pregnancy of your third… you know evil spirits and all.”
“You seriously believe that?”
“Hey! You can never be too careful you know?”
“And the other reason?” he looks at her with a confused look, expecting Toph to spit the news out all at once.
“Well… I just don’t want my mom to see!” she says quickly as if admitting a lifelong secret of hers.
“I think we've already established that your mom will see you Toph!"
She punches him in the arm this time with the aim to snap him to his senses “No you don't get it! I don't want to go because she'll be right and I'll be wrong all over again!”
“What?” He searches her expression, confusion enveloping his mind. “None of what you’re saying makes sense!”
“She said I was always bad with kids back then, and that I won't handle having one—but I did though! I handled Izumi, but back in that moment, she said three, and…I–”
“What more if I had three right!” Toph started nervously rambling, “I mean, during that time I thought it was ridiculous, absolutely hilarious! but then she warned me; the day I find myself having three, she’ll say she was right all along!
“I can’t live that down!?”
Toph catches her breath, ears sharp and listening… waiting for her husband's reaction to anything. Which by now, she was sure he’s staring at her with that ridiculous expression that they call “dumbstruck”.
He clears his throat, “And you're having our third…”
“Mhm, unfortunately it's me who’s pregnant sparky, not you” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.
“So you don't want to go to your parents because of something she told you when you were in your 20s?” Toph nodded, finally glad he understood.
“Wow… how petty"
He watched the split second Toph’s face almost looked angry, but it eventually went slack.
“And because I am petty—” she looked like she was about to say something more when… “Yeah well that… pretty much sums it up.” .
“Toph she won't remember! that I assure you it has been a decade” he tried rubbing her arms in comfort; because even if she may not show it, Zuko could tell she was growing anxious by the second.
“It has merely been years.”
“More than a decade Toph”
“If you seem so sure of yourself then fine! “I’ll bet you 25 gold pieces that she still remembers”
He thought for a little while before continuing, “I mean seriously, What do you mean you haven't told them in all these months?” Zuko panicked endlessly, “What kind of son in law will they think I am!?”
“Trust me even if you committed a heinous crime, and I don't mean that seriously… My parents will still love you, my dad practically worships you for all I care.”
“Spirits Toph, you will be the end of me.”
…
It was nothing short of a miracle that Zuko actually convinced Toph to visit Gaoling, with much coaxing and a little persuading from their daughters— she actually agreed… at least that's what he thinks before Toph decided last minute she wasn't going to.
Hidden in a valley of greenery and luxury, The carriage made a turn, revealing the stunning view of The Beifong estate. Once the carriage finally pit into a stop. Toph quietly peeked through the carriage’s window. There, revealed a familiar face—The main housekeeper of her childhood home, someone who worked closely under Poppy Beifong came into view.
A stout old woman whose grey hairs were mostly entirely caused by the ‘Lady’ in the carriage; a woman who Toph has grown to become close with over the growing years greets her children with kind formality.
She feels entirely unsure about her mothers, absence… then again it is a surprise visit. They can't really do anything other than accommodate ‘the royal family’ at the moment.
It's been a long while since she got here, the landscaping has changed as well, that guard by the door looks awfully unfamiliar…and—her throat painfully tight, she can’t just come to her mother after—
“Toph?” Zuko whispered toward the interior of the carriage..
She didn't notice that he got off the carriage as well.
He tried to glance at her as the midday sun peaked outside, giving the Firelord a hard time to see his wife clearly. The moment his eyes finally adjusted… nothing could ever prepare him at the ridiculous sight of Toph Beifong.
His wife in question was holding her breath painfully still, trying her best to flatten the appearance of her stomach as much as possible against the cushioned seat.
He honestly didn't know whether to be concerned or to laugh… he figured he wouldn't take the risk of finding out.
Opposite to where he stood, the sweet voice of the old housekeeper questioned, “Is Lady Toph with you Firelord?”
Shit.
“Please call me Zuko, I insist” he says abashedly. Having grown familiar with the kindness of the elder over the years… There really was no telling when an offer like that would come in handy. Especially now.
—and thank the spirits Toph has a quick thinker for a husband.
That successfully earned them a few moments of silence, indicating he caught the housekeeper by surprise. “Oh spirits I knew you’d say that, nonsense! you shall be addressed as Firelord, as you rightfully are.”
He gave a nervous laugh.
“Now Firelord Zuko, was Lady Toph with you when your family travelled?” The old woman moves her head, assessing the carriage trying to search for someone behind him.
“No!”
She raises an eyebrow.
“N-No unfortunately” he can feel a bead of sweat draw down his neck, “Toph stayed behind, she’s still in Republic City, this carriage is just filled with our belongings, we–we plan to stay for a while, that is of course if you don't mind”.
“What are you saying? Of course Firelord Zuko, we are pleased to serve you and your family”
As if on cue, a cold gust of wind hit the girls’ faces making them squeal. “Oh spirits come inside it's quite chilly at this time of the year you know fall in gaoling and all.”
Lin stared curiously at her father “But dad why wont mom come–”
“Come! Yes– mother told us she’ll make it by tonight?” An unsuspecting hand reached behind Zuko, hidden enough by his looming shadow— she pinched him, painfully..
As he watched the girls walk back inside the estate, the said unsuspecting hand pulled on his robes urging him to get back inside the carriage.
“Ouch! What was that for?”
“Tonight?! Really Zuko!”
“What did you want me to say Toph! We didn't exactly plan this”
he gestured to both of them “—arrangement..”
“I–a what! Didn't I just– ARGH! Just help me get out of here!”
…
This is going to be a long vacation he thinks.