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Toph breaks the news before anyone else knows, including Katara herself.
"What?"
She touches Katara's belly and smirks. "You heard me. Congrats, Sugar Queen. You and Twinkle Toes sure didn't waste any time, huh?"
Katara's face goes red at the insinuation, even though Toph can't see it.
"W-well— No. It's not like we—"
Toph holds a hand up. "Ah. I don't need the details. I'm happy for you. Both of you."
Katara smiles, putting a hand over her stomach. "Thanks, Toph. You're… sure?"
Toph's hands go to her hips. "Excuse you, but my seismic sense is never wrong, thank you very much."
Katara sniffles, the initial shock turning to pure joy. "Wow. I can't wait to tell Aang."
"He's definitely going to cry, the big softie," Toph says. "Wanna bet? A hundred yuans."
"I don't think so."
"Why? Because you know I'll win?"
"Absolutely."
Aang indeed does cry when Katara surprises him the next morning. He can't stop smiling and takes every possible opportunity to kiss her tummy throughout the day.
Wrapped up in her love for her husband and the new life growing within her, Katara feels as if she is floating.
Swearing Aang and Toph to secrecy, Katara waits until their whole group has convened in Caldera City for a festival three weeks later to make the announcement.
They arrive in the capital a day early, and once Team Avatar has gathered, Katara and Aang share the good news with almost childlike giddiness.
There is a moment of stunned silence, but that quickly gives way to excited squeals, hugs, and a volley of questions.
("How far along are you?")
("About eight weeks.")
("Any strange cravings?")
("No. Not yet, at least.")
("Do you feel any kicking?")
("I don't think the baby has legs yet, Sokka.")
The friends take a few hours to catch up, and when they finally retire to their rooms later that evening, Katara falls soundly asleep in Aang's loving embrace.
Katara sleeps late, a rare occurrence for her.
There's no real reason to rush — they are on vacation, after all. Still, it's the Festival of Szeto, one of the most important holidays on the Fire Nation calendar. It's also the first one that the friends are attending, and Zuko is eager to introduce them to the centuries-old traditions integral to the celebrations.
Katara dresses quickly in a lightweight cotton tunic and pulls her hair back into a simple plait, finishing with her beloved hair loopies.
She finds Aang and the others around the table in the dining hall, halfway through breakfast.
Aang's face lights up like the first time he went penguin sledding when Katara comes into the room. He jumps up from his seat to kiss her good morning and pulls out her chair so she can sit between him and Toph.
"What would you like, sweetie?" he asks, gesturing to the food laid out.
She sees steamed rice, grilled and fried fish, noodles in a miso broth, rolled egg crepes, and fluffy buns filled with red bean paste.
Everything looks delicious, but the combination of aromas suddenly makes Katara's stomach roll uncomfortably, and she has a sinking suspicion that it could be the first dreaded bout of morning sickness.
"I'm actually not that hungry," she says. "I'll just have some tea for now."
Toph looks at her.
"What?"
The other girl turns back to her food. "Nothing."
While Katara sips the warm drink, hoping it will settle the waves of nausea, Zuko tells the story of how two warring clans nearly brought about the end of the Festival of Szeto for good during the time of Avatar Kyoshi.
Then the dishes are cleared away, and it's time for the festival to begin.
After a brief welcome speech from Zuko, he and Mai show everyone around, leading the group like a mother turtle duck bringing her babies to the water. They point out the stage for the performance later on and the parade route that winds for miles through the streets. Barges wait for nightfall on the lakes surrounding the palaces to carry lanterns across the water, the festival's focal point.
As expected, it's a scorching summer day, so Aang holds a parasol to shield Katara and him from the sun.
She loops her arm through his as they walk past stalls offering up spicy snacks, frozen treats, and other specialties that are made just for the occasion, like beans stewed in large cauldrons and sautéed stalknose mushrooms.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Aang asks her. They've fallen a few steps behind so they can speak in private. "Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?"
Katara shakes her head. "I feel a little better from this morning, but I don't want to eat yet, just in case. Maybe something to drink."
They come upon a beverage cart a minute later where the merchant is ladling a dark liquid into ceramic cups.
"This is Szeto's Drink," she explains to the newcomers with an unmistakable air of pride. "It's made from a thick plum syrup mixed with effervescent water. The color symbolizes the ink used by Avatar Szeto during his remarkable tenure that helped our nation prosper. It's quite delicious and refreshing, especially on days like today."
Zuko buys a serving for each of them and humbly thanks the woman before moving on.
The pair are still trailing when Sokka calls for Aang to show him something at the other end of the plaza.
Handing the parasol to Katara, Aang promises he'll be right back and weaves through the crowd on his air scooter.
Katara finds a bench underneath a willow tree, a necessary reprieve from the brutal heat.
That's when Toph approaches her.
"Are you okay?" she asks, almost hesitant.
"I'm fine," Katara says. "Why?"
Toph frowns. "No offense, but you'll have to try a little harder if you're going to lie and expect to get away with it."
Katara sighs. "I'm fine, Toph. Really. It's only morning sickness. Totally normal, just uncomfortable. I don't want Aang or anyone else to worry for no reason. I'll be alright."
In the distance, Katara sees the yellow Air Nomad robes donned by her husband, a literal bright spot amongst the Fire Nation citizens' typical red and black garments. He's waving to her, beckoning her over. Katara stands and puts a hand on Toph's shoulder.
"I do appreciate the concern, though. Now, come on, let's go see what the guys are up to."
Toph doesn't seem convinced, but Katara walks away before she can voice any objections.
Crossing her arms, Toph follows close behind, feeling the vibrations that Katara leaves in her wake.
The festival draws to a close shortly after the conclusion of the lantern ceremony, for which Katara is grateful. Her queasy stomach hasn't abated much, and she hopes that a good night's sleep will help ease her discomfort come morning.
Aang gets into bed and snuggles up to her side.
"I'm so sorry you haven't felt well today, sweetie," he says. "They call it 'morning sickness,' but that's a misnomer. It should really be called 'all-day sickness.'"
Katara chuckles and rests her hand on her stomach.
"I know. I guess the baby is just moving around. Getting comfortable for the next six months."
Aang lays his hand over hers, and she feels safe and protected. "Tomorrow will be better. I'm sure of it. Just us and our friends, enjoying Ember Island for a week. Warm sand, cool water, fresh air. It'll be great."
"And plenty of alone time," she murmurs against his lips.
He leans into her, capturing her mouth in a languid kiss. "I'm looking forward to that most of all," he whispers when he pulls away.
She gives him a sleepy smile as fatigue catches up with her at last. "Goodnight, sweetie. I love you."
Aang extinguishes the firelight in the room with a gentle sweep of his hand.
"I love you, too."
Katara wakes in the middle of the night with a pain in her lower abdomen so sharp that she can't breathe.
She struggles to sit up, her clammy palms sliding against the silken sheets.
A light sleeper, Aang stirs beside her. "K'tara? Where are you going?"
Pulling the covers back, she inches to the edge of the bed, afraid that she may be sick right on the carpet. The cramping sensation worsens with each movement.
"I don't feel so well," she says, voice trembling.
Aang scrambles out of bed and rushes to her side, relighting the gilded chandelier that hangs overhead. "What do you need, sweetie? Tell me."
The pain subsides for a moment, and Katara grabs the bedpost to steady herself.
"Help me to the bathroom," she whimpers.
He gently grasps her forearm with one hand and places the other on her upper back. "I've got you," he whispers. "Take your time."
Shaky and lightheaded, Katara pushes herself to stand with Aang's help. She only manages a few wobbly steps forward when the pain comes roaring back. She doubles over in agony and crumples to the floor.
"Katara!"
He falls with her, holding her head to protect it from hitting the iron bed frame.
Frightened tears well in her eyes, and she clutches her stomach. "Aang…"
"It's okay, sweetie. You're okay," he says in a rush, stroking her hair in a desperate attempt to calm her.
"It hurts," she sobs. "The baby — I think something's wrong."
Aang swallows his growing panic and looks at the door. He is reluctant to leave her alone for even a second, but he knows he needs to find help.
"Katara, I'll be right back, okay? I'm going to have someone call for the palace physician."
He starts to leave when she grabs his wrist. "No. Get Toph. Please."
Aang nods in understanding and hurries from the room.
With Zuko putting them all up in the guest wing, Toph and Suki's shared room is right across from theirs, with Sokka just one room over.
Aang knocks urgently on the girls' door until it finally opens, Toph on the other side.
He doesn't give her the chance to speak.
"It's Katara."
Toph breaks the news before anyone else knows, except Katara herself.
"…what?"
"I'm sorry, Aang," she whispers. Her eyes are wet.
By now, their little group has gathered in the hallway outside of Aang and Katara's bedroom. No one knows what to say, and the tense silence is haunting.
"But I'm not a doctor," Toph continues. "Maybe you should wait for them to examine her. I could be wrong."
"Your seismic sense is never wrong," Aang says softly. It's a statement of fact and a point of pride for her.
Toph says nothing.
"Aang, the family physician resides on the grounds. He could be here in five minutes," Zuko offers.
He shakes his head. They all know that seeking a second opinion will not change the outcome.
"Aang, can we do anything?" Suki asks.
"I just need to be with Katara right now," he says, reaching for the doorknob. He can feel himself beginning to break down. "You guys go back to bed. We'll talk in the morning."
"Of course. But, if either of you needs anything at all, please let us know. We're here for you both," Suki says. "We love you."
Aang gives his friends a grateful smile. "We love you, too. Thank you. Night, everyone."
He doesn't wait for the others to return to their rooms before going inside.
Katara is in bed, sitting up with the support of a few pillows. Her gaze seems unfocused, and she has one hand placed protectively over her stomach. When the door clicks shut, she looks over at him. Her crestfallen expression drives daggers through his heart.
"Sweetie…"
Aang practically flies across the room and draws her into a tight embrace.
"Toph couldn't find a heartbeat," Katara whispers, her voice raw with anguish. "The baby's gone."
Her body shudders with quiet sobs as she buries her face in his shoulder, clinging to him with shaking hands.
Hearing her cry shatters something deep within his soul, and Aang wishes over all else that he could absorb every ounce of her pain.
Rubbing her back in slow circles, Aang squeezes his eyes shut as the first tears slide down his cheeks.
Words are hollow, so the two simply hold each other, grieving for themselves and for their beautiful child that they will never get to meet.