Chapter 2: Marriage.

The group travel to the Southern Water Tribe, Mai and Suki meet them there. “Suki!” Sokka jumps down from Appa, they embrace each other in a long awaited hug. Aang and Zuko help Toph and Katara down from Appa’s saddle onto the wooden dock. “Toph you’ll need shoes on or your feet will freeze out here.”

“No way I’m not wearing shoes!”

“ok, then at least let me carry you inside.” Aang smiles. “It saves your feet.” Toph sighs and nods. “Ok.” He picks her up into his arms and holds her close to his chest. Katara walks beside him, followed by Sokka, Suki, Mai and Zuko. Hakoda meets them in his hut. “My daughter getting married?” He hugs Katara as Aang sets Toph down and turns to Hakoda. “Chief.” Hakoda smiles and walks over to Aang. “I am so glad you finally asked her.”

“I am too Chief Hakoda your daughter makes me very happy.”

“And I know you make her happy, I haven’t seen her smile like this in years.” Katara starts to blush, she turns away and smiles to herself. The group split up and to their own huts. Katara pushes the Polar bear-dog fur aside and steps in the small hut. Aang is sat near a small fire meditating. She kneels behind him and puts her arms over his bare shoulders. She kisses his neck gently. “Sweetie?” Katara brings her hands over his shoulders and traces his tattoo delicately with her fingers, she stops at his scar and puts her right palm against it. Aang shudders and turns to look over his right shoulder. “Katara are you alright?” She nods, he turns round fully to face her. “Are you sure?”

“I just miss my mom.” She shrugs, he hugs her and kisses her nose.

“I know you do sweetie.”

“I wish she was here.” Aang gives her a sympathetic smile and pulls her close to him. “I know.” He holds her close, she sniffles trying not to cry. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” The pair embrace each other for a while then Katara pulls away. “I’m sorry I interrupted your session.”

“It’s alright sweetie.” He stands up. “I need to talk to Zuko and Sokka anyway, we need to discuss the united republic of nations, the capital still needs a name.” Katara holds onto his hand.

“Republic city, there can you stay here now?” Aang smiles. “Please.”

“Sorry sweetie.” He kisses her fore head and leaves the hut.

Aang crosses the street and makes his way to Zuko’s hut. Inside Zuko and Sokka are arguing. “You know you’re still annoying!”

“Oh yeah? Dragon boy! How come you’re still here?”

“Your sister wants me here!” Aang takes a deep breath before entering.

“Guys please, if we could be civil for just a moment. We still haven’t named the capital city.”

“You’re the Avatar, you name it.” Zuko folds his arms over his chest.

“Could you two stop acting like children for one minute please, if we don’t name the Capital quickly it will as though we don’t care.” Aang sits down in between them. “Sorry Aang.” Sokka looks at Zuko.

“Yeah, sorry.” Aang smiles at them both.

“Now let’s start we need to name the city something easy, something the people will learn quickly and won’t forget.”

“Do you have any ideas Fire Lord Zuko?” Sokka smirks and gestures to Zuko. “No I don’t Sokka, do you?”

“What about City of Nations?”

“Good but not very catchy it is.”

“Catchy?” Aang rolls his eyes and raises his hands.

“Actually I think my fiancé has a perfect name for the city. Republic City.” Zuko and Sokka exchange glances. “Yeah sounds good to me.”

“Yeah sounds good.” Aang nods and stands.

“It’s decided then, I’ll let you two get back to what you were doing.” He walks out of the hut and back across the street to his and Katara’s hut. Katara is sat cross legged on the floor, she smiles as Aang walks in. “Hey sweetie, I made you something.” She stands up and steps towards him.

“Yeah?” She holds up a round pendant on a long cord, on one side is the air nomad symbol and on the other she had inscribed ‘Avatar Aang, Master of all four elements.’ He bows to her and takes it. “Thank you.” He places his new pendant round his neck, he leans down and kisses Katara. She drapes her arms around his shoulders as they share a passionate moment.

That night the two lovers fall asleep in each other’s arms. Aang watches Katara sleep as she lies peacefully beside him. “I love you sweetie.” He kisses her forehead gently and closes his eyes. Katara nuzzles into his neck as she sleeps, Aang slowly drifts back to sleep. He slips into a vivid dream, he’s sat on Appa with Toph and Katara when Katara starts to scream in pain. Toph attempts to comfort her but nothing works. She continues to scream until she passes out. Aang starts to panic as Appa loses altitude. “Katara!” He sits bolt upright, sweat drips off his nose and runs down his back. “Aang?”

“I’m ok. It’s alright Sweetie, you can go back to sleep it was just a dream.”

“Are you sure?” He nods and lies back down. He rolls over so his back is facing her. “You can tell me if you want, you know that.” She rubs his shoulder and rolls over. They both go back to sleep, Aang continues to have the same dream, he tosses and turns. He lies awake the rest of the night watching his sweetheart sleep.

The next morning Katara and Suki oversee the decorating for the wedding. The village hall is transformed to show a connection to all four elements. In the centre is an ice carving of Aang and Katara, underneath their feet is the air nomad symbol and the southern water tribe symbol. Katara Smiles and turns to Suki. “This is going to be the best day ever.” Suki smiles back and nods. “I can’t wait to Marry Aang.”

“Only 18 hours to go. Come on we better make sure Sokka hasn’t messed up the seating arrangements.” She takes Katara’s wrists and pulls her towards the dining hut. Sokka I stood at the top table tying an orange cloth around Aangs seat. He looks up and grins at Suki and Katara. “What do you think?” He opens his arms to showcase his handy work. “I’m going to put colour coded drapes on all the chairs, so people know where to sit.” He routes through a box on the floor and starts to pull out different coloured cloths. “I’ve got three shades of green for Toph and any other earth kingdom people, I’ve got red and maroon for fire nation with gold for Zuko and Mai, then I have Navy blue, sky blue and baby blue for north, south and the leaders of the water tribes.” He smiles to himself, Katara smiles and nods. “That’s a great idea Sokka.”

“I know it is.” Sokka nods and Suki smiles.

“Well done Sokka.” The two girls leave the hut and head across the street where Keira is finishing Katara’s wedding dress. Keira looks up and smiles as they enter. “There she is the Lady of the day.”

“Not until tomorrow Keira, is my dress ready?”

“Almost. You’re welcome to wait I won’t be long.” Katara and Suki sit in the front of the shop and watch people as they go about their day. Keira comes out of the back room. “Close your eyes bride to be.” Katara scrunches her nose up and closes her eyes, Suki gasps. “That’s gorgeous.”

“Can I open my eyes?” Keira chuckles and shakes her head. She hangs the dress on the rail. “Wait.” She ties a blindfold over Katara’s eyes. “Ok, now you can open them.” She smiles.

“I still can’t see.”

“That’s the idea.” Suki helps Keira change Katara into her dress. “Are you ready?” Katara nods and Keira takes away the blind fold. Katara puts her hands to her mouth as she lays eyes on her dress for the first time, the white and blue fabric glitters with the gold flecks sewn into it with a swirling pattern. The skirt puffs out just a little and the hem just kisses the floor, her bodice and sleeves are skin tight accentuating her figure. The small silver snowflakes stand out in the light but fade away in the shade. “A dress fit for a princess.” Katara hugs Keira. “Thank you, thank you so much. I love it, it’s perfect.” Keira and Suki help her out of the dress and the two friends take it back to Katara’s hut.

That night the boys and Toph sleep in Sokka’s hut while Katara, Suki and Mai sleep in hers. Katara sits up watching the sun rise, it shines through the window into the small hut filling the room with golden light. Suki stirs as the light warms her face. “Good morning.”

“Hey.” Katara smiles. “Let’s get ready for my big day.” Suki nods and wakes Mai, the girls start to get ready. Meanwhile Aang watches boats and ships of all sizes enter the southern water tribes main harbour. People from all over the world are arriving for his and Katara’s special day. “Whatcha thinking about?” Sokka’s voice makes him jump. “What?”

“What are you thinking about?” Sokka drags out every syllable and nods to Aang. “I was just thinking how your people, Zuko’s people even Toph’s people are here but I’m the only Air nomad left.”

“You have the Acolytes.”

“It’s not the same.”

“I know but it’s a start.” Sokka puts his hand on Aang’s shoulder. “We should think about getting ready. You don’t want to be late to your own wedding.” He smiles and Aang smiles back. “You’re right.” They all get ready and head to the village hall.

Aang, Sokka and Toph stand in front of the crowd waiting for Katara to arrive. Outside an ice-sled pulled by Polar bear-dogs pulls up to the main doors. “Ready?” Suki smiles, Katara smiles back and nods. Katara meets her father at the top of the steps. “You look beautiful my daughter, your mother would be proud.” He puts his hands on her shoulders and pulls her into a hug.

“Thanks dad, shall we?” She gestures to the door. Suki and Mai lead the way. Sokka elbows Aang and he turns to watch his bride walk down the aisle. The ceremony is short and sweet. The two exchange their vows and Hakoda says a blessing over the newlyweds. The procession leave the village hall and head down the white streets to the reception. The dining hut mesmerises everyone who walks in. Aang and Katara arrive hand in hand. “There they are, the newlyweds, aren’t they adorable!” Sokka hugs Aang and Katara. “My sister married?! Who’da thunk’d?!” Katara frowns at him.

“What have you been drinking?” He hands her a small glass.

“Try it sis, it’s called a Prickle, it’s made with a special ingredient.” Katara looks at Aang and passes the glass back to Sokka. “I think I’ll pass, thanks.”

“Suit yourself, more for me.” He slurs his words and she shakes her head.

“Only just mid-day and he’s intoxicated already.” Aang shrugs and squeezes her hand. “Let him have some fun while it lasts.” She nods and smiles. “Ok?”

“Ok.” The couple make their way to the head table where everyone forms a queue to congratulate them. Everyone takes their seats and the hut falls silent as they all begin their meals.

The day of celebration goes on for hours. Katara steps outside, she bends an ice-block and sits on it. Puffs of vapour appear with every breath she takes. “Should I tell him now?” She sighs and looks up at the stars. “Mom, I wish you were here, you’d know what to do.” Aang drapes his shawl around her shoulders and walks round to squat in front of her. “You are stunning my wife.” He smiles, she doesn’t look up just stares up at the night sky. “Thank you.”

“Is there something wrong?”

“No nothing’s wrong.”

“Then what’s bothering you? Sweetie?” He smiles at her but his eyes show his concern. “I have to… I have something to tell you.” She looks at him her eyes dart across his face. She tries to find the right words, this is the moment this will be when she tell him. “Ok.” Hi smile turns to confusion. She takes his hands and places them on her stomach, his skin is warm against hers. “Aang sweetie, I’m pregnant.” He looks at her, his hands and then back to her face. He smiles and kisses her. They embrace each other in an infinite hold. Sokka and Suki watch them from inside. “They’re so in love.” Suki sighs and looks at Sokka who is now doubled over talking to a streamer, she smiles and puts her hand on his back.