Chapter 3: first born.



Nine months pass, Aang and a heavily pregnant Katara oversee the construction of their new home. Air Temple Island is the new home of the Air acolytes, the future of the air benders. As the couple walk down the steps towards the dock, Katara doubles up in pain. “Katara?”

I’m fine.” Fluid cascades down the steps. “Aang the baby is coming.”

What?”

Don’t panic it’ll be fine.”

Ok, let’s go back inside.” They turn and start walking back up the steps.

Aang.” Katara stops and doubles over in pain. Aang scoops her up and carries her up the rest of the steps. He turns to one of the construction workers. “Go and find Chief Beifong and Sokka.” He nods and runs off, another worker helps Aang carry Katara into their small wooden hut. “It’s ok sweetie, I’m going to go and fetch a doctor.”

No Aang please stay.”

But I’m the fastest. Appa and I will go we won’t be long.”

If you’re going I’m coming too, I won’t take no for an answer!” Aang sighs and they take her out to Appa. The pair goes off in search of a doctor. They glide over republic city. Toph is stood in the middle of a street when she hears Appa roar overhead. “Appa?” Aang lands in front of her. “What do you want twinkle toes?”

Katara’s gone into labour. We need to find a doctor.”

Oh, urm… My old family doctor has a place two blocks from here, he can help.” Aang nods and pulls her up into Appa’s saddle. “It’s right, second left and the third door on the right. Are you ok Katara?”

Yeah just having a baby.” She takes Toph’s hand. “I’m glad we found you.” Toph squeezes her hand. “Me too.” Katara’s contractions become more intense and she starts to scream. Toph tries to comfort her but she’s in too much pain. Aang looks round at them. “Katara?” She screams again and her eyes roll back in her head as she passes out. Toph puts her hand on Katara’s fore head. “We need to hurry.” Aang nods and they land in the street just outside the family doctor’s. The two friends rush Katara into the doctor’s office.



The receptionist looks up at them. “Yes?”

Yes?! Obviously it’s my unconscious wife that needs the doctor’s attention!” Aang yells and flaps about. “Are you blind or just stupid?!” Toph sighs and passes the receptionist her family seal. “Oh Miss Beifong. Yes, I apologise the doctor will see your friend now.” She helps them through the door into the back office. “Doctor Lee, Miss Beifong is in need of you.” The small middle aged man looks up from his desk, his small round glasses perched precariously on his slim, pointed nose. “Is that really little Toph Beifong?” He stands up and smiles. “How can I help you my dear?”

Well my friend is in labour with her first child, on the way here she fell unconscious. I think she’s close.” Doctor Lee nods.

Ok then, let’s have a look.” Aang lies Katara on the examination chair. Meanwhile outside, Sokka skids round the street corner. “Appa!” The flying Byson turns his head to look at him. “Where did they go?!” Appa looks at the doctor’s door and goes back to eating the contents of a cabbage cart. “Thanks buddy!” Sokka runs inside as the cabbage farmer comes out of a nearby tea shop. “My cabbages!” Appa stops chewing and spits the mushed up cabbage out onto the floor. He lowers his head and steps back, ears flat to his head and eyes bulging.



Aang holds a crying baby boy in his arms as Doctor Lee brings Katara round using smelling salts. “He’s perfect.” Aang stands next to Toph, she smiles.

He looks like you.”

Thanks Toph… Wait… Really? Must you do that all the time?” He frowns, Toph smirks and waves her hand in front of her face. “I’ll do it as long as you and Sokka fall for it. He sounds like you.”

Not funny.” Katara sits up slowly and looks around for her child.

What is it?”

It’s a boy.”

Katara you have a son.” Doctor Lee smiles. “What will you call him?” Katara looks at her husband who is hold their first born. “Aang what do you think?”

I think we should name him Bumi Hakoda.” He smiles down at his son and passes him over to his mother. She rocks him gently and Bumi stops crying. “Perfect, our little Bumi.” Aang smiles and rubs the back of his head. Bumi squints in the sun light and tucks his head into his mother’s chest. “Thank you.” She smiles at Doctor Lee. “Thank you so much.” He nods to the new parents as Sokka bursts in. “Did I miss it?!” Bumi starts to cry once more, Katara frowns at Sokka and looks down at her son. “Yes uncle Sokka you did.” She smiles and Bumi settles again. “Come here and meet your nephew. Bumi Hakoda this is your uncle Sokka, don’t believe a word he says.”

Hey!” Sokka takes Bumi from her and smiles down at him. “Hi there little guy.” He wiggles his finger in Bumi’s face, Bumi looks up at him and starts to cry. “Oh no, no please don’t cry.”

That’s my boy.” Katara smiles and looks to Aang. “Where will we raise him?”

We can go back to the southern water tribe if you want, he’ll be safe there and I’ll keep an eye on the construction of Air Temple Island.”

Really?”

Yes sweetie I just want you to be safe and happy. Plus Toph and Sokka can keep an eye on things here.” They kiss and Sokka passes Bumi to Toph.

What do you want me to do with it?”

Just hold him until his parents stop exchanging saliva.” Sokka shudders and leaves the room.



Four years pass and Bumi grows up quickly but shows no signs of bending abilities. Although Aang is disappointed he loves his son dearly. Construction finished on Air Temple Island and the Acolytes moved into their new home shortly after. The Avatar’s small family along with Sokka and Suki moved into the temple shortly after the Acolytes. Bumi sits in the temple court yard watching his father meditate. “Daddy, what you doing?” Aang takes a deep breath. “Huh?” He keeps his eyes shut while Bumi waves his hand in front of his face. “I’m trying to meditate son.” He takes another deep breath. “Go find your mother.”

Ok!” Aang opens one eye to watch his son as he jumps up and runs back inside. He closes his eyes again and Yang Chen materialises in front of him. “You are frustrated Aang, what bothers you?”

I want to revive the Air nomads, bring them back from extinction ready for the next cycle. The only way I know is to raise more Air benders.”

Yes.” She smiles, he looks down and sighs.

Bumi is brilliant, he’s smart and resourceful like his mother and grandfather but...”

But he cannot bend Air.”

Yes, will our nation, our culture die with me?”

No Aang either way our people will always be remembered whether it be in the history books or by memory, we will live on because of your actions.”

Thank you Yang Chen, you are very wise.” She bows and fades away. Aang opens his eyes to find Bumi sat in his lap staring at him, a string of snot hanging from his right nostril. “I couldn’t find mom. You looked funny. Can I do that? How did you do that? I wanna do that.” With every question and statement he gets closer to Aang’s face. “Right… Thanks… No… it’s complicated. Let’s go find your mother or uncle Sokka.”

Yay uncle Sokka!” Bumi throws his hands in the air, Aang stands up and lifts Bumi onto his shoulders.



They walk through the empty corridors, Sokka walks round the corner and nearly hits Aang. “Oh uncle Sokka, have you seen mom?” He glances down at Bumi who is stood by his side with his finger up his nose. “Urm yes, she was in the laundry room.”

Thank you, come on Bumi.”

But I want to hear a team Avatar story.”

Sokka?” Aang looks at him and smiles, Sokka sighs and nods.

Yeah I suppose I could tell you one.”

Two! Two!”

Ok, ok two.”

Three! Three!” Bumi jumps up and down tugging on Sokka’s arm.

Don’t push it young man.” Sokka picks him up and they disappear down the corridor. Aang carries on walking until he gets to the Laundry room. Katara has propped the door open with a bucket of water. Aang water bends a ball over her head and slowly starts to drip it onto her. It takes her a few moments but she soon realises what is happening. She doesn’t even turn round to face him. “Aang stop it I’m trying to concentrate.”

On what? Your delicates or mine?” She bends some dirty water into his face and smiles. “Your actually sweetie.” He raises his right eyebrow and wipes his face with his sash. “Funny smells like Sokka’s.”

What do you want Aang?”

How did..?”

I’m your wife.”

Well, urm sweetie actually I was coming to tell you that I’m going to have to travel a bit.”

Where to?”

All the other air temples, I want to salvage as many artefacts and records as I can for the future generations.”

So do you want Bumi to go with you?”

I wanted to go alone, all those memories I don’t want him to see me like that. I’ll be gone a couple of weeks at a time and I’ll still be available for anything. If I’m needed here I’ll come straight back.” Katara frowns and goes back to her laundry. “I don’t like it but if it’s what you need to do.”

Thank you sweetie.” Aang hugs her and kisses her hair. He walks out and she watches him leave.



Aang gets Appa and hi saddle ready. “Ready buddy?” Appa grunts and blows his fir out of his eyes. Katara and Bumi come out into the courtyard, the bright autumn sun beats down on them. Aang smiles and walks over to them. “Are you all set?”

Yeah, nearly, are you sure you’ll be ok covering for me on the council?”

Yes sweetie.” He hugs her and kisses her as if he’ll never see her again. He pats Bumi on the head and jumps onto Appa. “I’ll see you when I get back.” Katara nods and pick Bumi up. “Fly safe! Look after him Appa you know what he’s like.” The Sky Bison snorts in agreement.

Appa! Yip, Yip!” Appa takes off and the two disappear into the vast sky. Bumi sits in the courtyard until dark watching for his father. “When is dad coming back?”

In a few weeks honey.” Katara takes his hand and leads him inside. “Now come on let’s get you to bed. It is way past your bedtime.” He rubs his eyes. “But mom, I’m not tired.”

Then I’ll tell you a bedtime story.” She takes him up to his bed room. Katara helps Bumi change and tucks him into bed. “Mom?”

Yes my sweet?”

Does daddy still love us?”

Yes Bumi of course he does don’t be silly, he loves us more than the moon.” She kisses his forehead. “Do you still want a bedtime story?”

No thank you mommy.”

Ok sweetie.” She smiles and turns the lights out. “Goodnight my prince.”

Goodnight.”



A few weeks pass and as promised Aang returns. Appa lands in the court yard “Dad!” Bumi jumps down from the fountain wall and runs over to him.

Bumi!” Aang picks him up and swings him round. “Oh you’re getting bigger.”

Dad you weren’t gone that long.” Aang chuckles and puts him down. “What did you bring dad?” Bumi pulls on Aang’s sleeve and jumps trying to see onto Appa’s back. “Well my boy. I collected an old training tool from the southern air temple.” He air lift the wooden gates down from Appa’s saddle. “It’s an old tradition you have to pass through the gates without being hit.”

That sounds like fun.” Aang smiles, kneels and puts his hands on Bumi’s shoulders. “Well when I’ve put them together I’ll show you how it works.”

Ok.” He grins and runs off, Aang gets to his feet as Katara walks over to him. “Hey sweetie.”

Hey, Aang I have something to tell you.”

Is everything ok? What is it?”

I’m pregnant.” He looks down at her stomach and smiles.