Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Duty Versus Love ❯ The Miracle of Life ( Chapter 16 )

LES: Yeah for clichéd titles!!! What is the reference book needed for any childbirth scene, besides real-life experience of which I have none? A health textbook. My health textbook was my bible writing this chapter. I just wish that it had a little bit more info on male puberty. I mean, seriously, TWO PAGES are devoted to female puberty, and ONE EIGHT-LINE PARAGRAPH is all that is devoted to male puberty. Sure, help me know what happens during female puberty. It's not like I LIVED through it or anything. And give me next to no info on male puberty because I totally have an intimate knowledge of what happens to boys going through puberty. Smart move. (thumbs up) Still, I guess the knowledge they did give me was workable. Oh well, you can't have everything in life.

 

Chapter XVI: The Miracle of Life

 

The months passed, and the entire Temple seems to celebrate the Season of Air by taking on the Air Nomad colors: red, orange, and golden yellow.

Katara was now a full nine months pregnant, so she knew that the baby would be coming soon. Very soon, in fact, since the baby had sunk lower in her body in preparation for birth, changing her profile noticeably.

In the last few weeks, she had been too sore and tired to do much of anything besides sit outside and enjoy the autumn breeze on her skin.

She was a Waterbender, so her favorite season would always be winter, but she could understand the Air Nomad's love for autumn. For a people so deeply connected to the Air, the autumn breeze would feel so amazing.

Her hands rested on her swollen abdomen and she felt the child kick inside her.

“You like autumn too, huh?” Katara spoke. “I guess you really will be an Airbender. The world will be happy, and rightly so. But I think your father will be happier than anyone. He's been on his own, the last of his culture, for so long. I think he'll be happy to have an Airbender to train. And even happier that you are his son or daughter.” She sighed. “And me? I'll be happy when you are outside me and I finally get to meet you. Nine months is a long time to wait.” She paused. “Boy or girl, I hope you have your father's eyes. Grey eyes with just a hint of silver. I've always loved your father's eyes.”

“Oh really?” Katara looked around slightly. Aang was standing in the doorway. He moved closer towards her. “My eyes? Is that what you love about me? What about my irresistible charm and dashing good looks?”

Katara chuckled. “I love those things about you too. Though I must say your charm peaked around thirteen.”

Aang laughed in embarrassment. Thirteen had been a particularly awkward age for him. That was when puberty really kicked in. His voice had started to change, and his voice started cracking at the worst moments, without fail. That led to a lot of awkward moments when he gave speeches at diplomatic meetings. After all, it must've been hard to take someone seriously when their voice cracked every other sentence. He also had his first growth spurt, shooting up several inches almost over-night. It had thrown off his coordination and made him more prone to tripping, tumbling, and stumbling over his own feet. He spent more time during his thirteenth year sprawled on the ground after a fall than on his feet. The sudden growth had also made him ache all over. Katara had called them Growing Pains and gave him weekly healing sessions to help him.

“Are you kidding? Thirteen was a terrible year! I must've looked like such a dork.”

“Well, dork or not, I thought you were charming.” Katara said. “You were thirteen when we began to date publically.”

“I remember. No one could understand what you saw in me, besides being the Avatar.” Aang said. “I was two years younger than you, shorter, less experienced, and a total klutz that spent more time sprawled at your feet than by your side.”

“I happen to know a lot of those girls regretted thinking those things about you seeing the handsome man you've become. But it's too late now, because you are mine.” Katara noticed he was holding a sheaf of parchment. “What is that?”

“It's the final letter, for Zuko's cousin.” Aang said. “She's pregnant.”

“So, all in all, that means five out of six of the women conceived? That's a pretty high success rate.” Katara said. “Maybe the Spirits have something to do with this.”

“Not as far as I know.” Aang said, shrugging. “How are you feeling, Katara?”

“Tired and sore.” Katara said. “And my lower back hurts a little.”

“Here, scoot forward.” Katara obeyed him, and he took a place behind her and began rubbing her lower back.

Katara released a small sigh of pleasure. “Mmm… You're too good to me, Aang.”

“I'm just doing my job as your husband.” Aang said modestly. For several minutes, he rubbed her back in silence, and then he spoke. “It's going to be soon, isn't it?”

“Very soon.” Katara answered.

“I can't say how proud I am of you.” Aang said. “I love you so much, and I'm so proud of you, Katara.”

“Save your pride until after the baby is born.” Katara said.

Aang chuckled. “Okay, I will.”

Several minutes later, Katara's massage was interrupted by the arrival of Hakoda on the balcony.

“Good afternoon, Chief Hakoda.” Aang said brightly.

“Hi, Dad.” Katara said, and noticed that Aang had stopped rubbing her upon Hakoda's entrance. “Aang?”

“Oh! Sorry!” Aang went back to work on the task at hand.

“Katara, how are you feeling today?” Just like Hakoda promised, he had come up from the South Pole to be there for his daughter during the birth of his first grandchild. In fact, he had just arrived the day before yesterday with two midwives for Katara in tow.

“Tired, and sore, and achy.” Katara said. “The sooner this pregnancy is over, the better.”

Hakoda looked her over. “Well, you won't have to worry about that much longer. Your stomach's dropped. It should be soon, days at the most.”

“I know.” Katara said. “I've helped Gran-Gran deliver babies before, you know.”

“And you helped that woman at the Serpent's Pass.” Aang reminded her.

“Oh yeah.” Katara said. “I wonder whatever happened to Hope. She should be about seven by now.”

“If you want, we can go check on her after the baby is born. I'm sure people would be willing to help me find her family since I'm the Avatar.” Aang said.

“I'd like that.” Katara sighed.

“I'll tell the midwives to be ready at any time.” Hakoda volunteered. He left the couple alone to their quiet contemplation.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was a quite night at the Southern Air Temple, but not for long. Katara suddenly sat up in her bad, gasping, and clutching her stomach. “Now?” She asked quietly. “You're all ready causing me to lose sleep.”

She glanced over at her husband, who was undisturbed by her movement. He had been banished to the edge of the bed for some time, which explained why he didn't notice anything amiss.

She shoved Aang's shoulder lightly. “Aang… Aang, get up.” Katara spoke quietly.

“Huh?” Aang stirred slightly. “It's the middle of the night, Katara. Go back to sleep.”

“I wish I could.” Katara said. “Aang, it's time.”

“Time for what?” Aang asked tiredly, starting to drift back to sleep.

“Aang! The baby!” Katara got loudly, since she started to lose her patience with him. Another sharp pain tore through her lower abdomen and she groaned.

That finally seemed to wake the Avatar up. He sat up. “Now?”

“Well, not now now, but soon.” Katara said. “Quick, go get the midwives.” Katara had barely gotten the sentence out before he took off out the door.

Katara scooted herself up until she was in a slightly reclined position on the bed. Her contractions weren't that bad now, but she knew that they would only get worse the further into the process she got. And since this was her first child, her labor was likely to be long and drawn out.

~~~~~~~~~~

Aang found that one of the midwives was actually awake in the middle of the night. He was about to ask why she was up, but he quickly stopped. He wouldn't put it past Hakoda to ask that one of them be awake at all times.

The midwife looked up at his entrance. “Avatar Aang? Is the Lady…?”

“Katara's gone into labor.” Aang reported to her. “She asked me to come get you.”

“Yes, of course. At once.” The midwife followed him out the door and back to his and Katara's room.

On the way back, they ran into Toph. “What's going on, Twinkletoes? Why are you running around like a rooster-duck with its head cut off in the middle of the night?”

“Katara's gone into labor.” Aang told her. “But you should go back to sleep. It's probably not going to happen until tomorrow; and just because I won't be able to sleep doesn't mean you should be deprived as well.”

“Twinkletoes, I've heard a woman give birth before, at the Serpent's Pass. No one could sleep through that, except maybe Snoozles.” Toph said. “Since I'm up, I might as well help.”

Aang sighed. “Okay. Could you go get Katara's father? But leave Sokka alone. The less time he has to be freaked out, the better.”

“You don't need to tell me.” Toph said, taking off.

Aang and the midwife got to his and Katara's room to find his wife reclining against the pillows, panting slightly.

Aang rushed over to her side. “Katara, do you need anything?”

Katara grabbed his hand as she groaned. “Just stay with me, Aang.”

“I promise. I will.” Aang promised.

The midwife busied herself by organizing the tools of her trade, and then she settled down to wait. Odds were it would be many hours before Katara was ready to give birth.

The midwife had just settled down when Toph and Hakoda came into the room.

Hakoda moved to Katara's side that wasn't occupied by her husband. “Katara, how are you doing?”

“Just fine, Dad.” Katara said sarcastically. “Toph, what are you doing here? You should go back to sleep because this baby probably won't be coming tonight.”

“Yes.” The midwife agreed. “Since this is her first child, it won't happen until tomorrow afternoon.”

“Psh!” Toph snorted. “Like I'll be able to sleep through all the noise. I might as well stay here and help if I can.” Toph said for the second time.

“If you want.” Katara said with a groan, which turned into an embarrassed moan.

“What? What happened?” Aang asked, distressed.

“I'm sorry, Aang. I just ruined our sheets.” Katara said to the confused Avatar. “My water broke.”

“Your what broke?” Aang asked, confused. “Is this something that happens to Waterbenders?”

Everyone in the room was once again reminded that Aang grew up in a fully male environment at the Southern Air Temple, so he probably knew next-to-nothing about the process of birth.

“It happens to all women.” The midwife took it upon herself to explain. “Inside the womb, the baby is surrounded by fluid to protect it. When labor starts, the fluid is released. That is what we call the water breaking. It means that this is true labor. The baby is coming. And it does, unfortunately, mean that your sheets are ruined, Lord Avatar.”

“Sheets can be replaced.” Aang said tensely.

~~~~~~~~~~

Morning slowly crept over the Southern Air Temple, but in one room, it seemed an eternity had passed instead of just a few hours.

As the hours passed, Katara's groans of pain only seemed to grow more intense. Aang, Hakoda, and Toph all did what they could. Aang simply held her, whispering words of comfort and encouragement in her ear. Hakoda busied himself with wiping the sweat off Katara's face, also giving his own words of encouragement. And Toph employed her talents best as a lookout for Sokka.

“Augh!” Katara cried out, gripping hard onto Aang's hand. “Aang, I swear on the Spirits, you'd better get used to having children with other women because you are never touching me again!”

Hakoda caught Aang's eyes, and the young Avatar remembered their talk months ago. Specifically the two pieces of advice that Hakoda had given him for the birth: don't take Katara's threats seriously and don't look.

“Um… bad news, guys.” Toph spoke up. “Sokka's coming.”

A few tense moments passed, and Katara let out a long, drawn out moan of pain.

There was a knock on the door. “Hey! Keep it quiet in there! You two know the rules! What other people are awake, keep quiet!”

Apparently, Sokka had mistaken Katara's moan of pain for a moan of pleasure.

“Uh, that's not what's going on in here, Snoozles.” Toph said through the door.

“What the…? Aang, is Toph in there too? What the…?” Sokka opened the door and froze in place. He slowly processed the scene: Katara panting and straining on the bed, Aang and Hakoda at her sides, and Toph with one of the midwives off to the side. Without a word, he turned and walked out.

“Toph.” Aang said. Toph realized what he wanted her to do without him saying it, so she took off after Sokka.

Katara cried out in pain again. “Aang! Get this baby out of me, NOW!”

~~~~~~~~~~

Toph managed to chase down Sokka. “Sokka, what's wrong?”

“She's having the baby. I can't be in there now.” Sokka said.

“She's not having the baby right now!” Toph said. “She's been in labor since midnight, and there's still plenty more hours until she gives birth. You should be there for her.”

“Midnight? Oh my Spirits… Katara…” Sokka moaned. “Why didn't anyone come wake me up?”

“Because we knew you'd freak out.” Toph said. “Besides, nothing's happened yet. It's been almost boring.”

“But I can't see… I can't handle…”

“Look, the midwife is going to kick everyone bur Aang out when the time comes anyway, so you won't see anything.” Toph said. “She's your little sister, and she's in pain.”

That seemed to do it. Sokka turned and purposefully walked back to Aang and Katara's room. After all, for all his faults, Sokka loved his sister.

Toph went to find Suki to let her know what was happening.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sokka and Suki stayed in the room, but it did little to ease her pain. It only seemed to grow worse and more consuming as the long day wore on. As Hakoda predicted, her threats towards Aang became increasingly violent. And then, just a little after noon, when she had been in labor for over twelve hours, she glared at the Avatar.

“Aang, UGH! I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you for doing this to me! AUGH! And then I'm going to hunt down your reincarnations and kill them too!”

“Wow. That one was pretty good.” Toph commented. She had amused herself during the last few hours by admiring Katara's skills at threatening Aang.

The midwife stood and checked on Katara's progress with a lift of the blankets that covered her lower body to preserve her modesty. “It looks like it's time.” She glanced around the room. “Can everyone except the Avatar clear the room?” Sokka was the first out the door, followed by everyone else.

Aang felt Katara tremble, but he wasn't surprised. He was shaking too, scared out of his mind. The only reason he wasn't going into the Avatar State now was because the past Avatars realized why he was so stressed and knew that not all stressful situations required their assistance.

“Now?” Katara asked in a shaky voice.

“Yes. It's almost over, Lady Katara. Soon, you'll be able to hold your child for the first time.”

Katara glanced at Aang, all of her previous anger seemingly forgotten. “Aang, I'm scared!”

“I know.” Aang avoided adding that he was scared too. “But you are strong, Katara. The strongest woman I know. Just focus on our baby. Our baby's almost here!”

“Now, push!” The midwife urged.

Katara grit her teeth, bearing down on the pain. Her hand that gripped Aang's hand tightened unbearably. But Aang resisted the urge to voice his pain. After all, Katara was in a sort of pain that he would never know.

Several minutes passed with Katara alternating between pushing and resting from the enormous effort of bringing a new life into the world.

At the end of the last push, Katara screamed in pain, nearly stopping Aang's heart.

“I know.” The midwife said sympathetically. “But the baby is crowning. You're doing great, Lady Katara.”

Aang recognized the word `crowning' from his crash-course lessons in birth during Katara's labor. It meant the baby's head was visible. His eyes began to drift downwards, but he realized what he was doing and stopped. He focused back on Katara. Don't look! Aang reminded himself. Don't look!

Katara had tears streaming down her face. “Aang… it hurts so much…”

“You're almost there. You're doing so great! Just a little longer!” Aang said, having no idea what he was saying. He honestly didn't know if she was doing great, or if she was almost done.

It took several more minutes of agonizing waiting before something else happened. At the end of another push, the midwife announced. “That's the head. One more big push for the shoulders, Lady Katara.”

Katara cried out as she bore down one last time. With the combined effort of Katara and the midwife, the small infant was coaxed free of its mother.

Katara let out a sound that was somewhere between a sob and a laugh and collapsed back on the pillows, panting with exhaustion.

The midwife set to work instantly on the newborn. She used a simple Waterbending move to clear the infant's mouth and nose of fluid.

Aang collapsed on the ground in a relieved heap. It was over. Nine months of waiting, and his first child had finally been born.

He stood on slightly shaky legs and pressed several light kisses to Katara's sweaty forehead. “You were amazing, Katara. Amazing.”

Katara was clearly exhausted, but she seemed anxious. “The baby?”

As soon as she spoke, a glorious sound filled the room: cries. Their newborn's first cries!

The midwife finished washing the infant and wrapped the newborn in a soft blanket. She turned towards the new parents. “Avatar Aang and Lady Katara, you have a healthy young boy.”

“A boy!” Both new parents repeated amazed.

The midwife passed the precious bundle to his father, and went to assist Katara with the much easier delivery of the afterbirth.

Aang could do nothing except stare at his son… his son, in amazement. His skin tone was a perfect mixture of his and Katara's skin colors: darker than his, but lighter than Katara's. Though his tiny face was red with the force of his first cries. Aang gently pulled the blanket away from the newborn's head to get a better look.

The infant already had a small amount of soft, downy hair: black hair. Just like his own hair when he grew it out.

“Aang.” Katara called.

“He's perfect.” Aang whispered reverently. He carefully wrapped the infant again in the blanket and moved over to the bed and sat down next to his wife, showing her the infant.

“Oh, Aang… he's perfect.” Katara said, carefully taking the newborn from him.

Aang leaned closer and kissed his wife's forehead, hoping that Hakoda was right about her forgetting about threatening to kill him if he ever touched her again. Apparently, she had, because she turned to give him a proper kiss.

“I love you, Katara.” Aang whispered.

“I love you too.” Katara replied.

They both gazed at their newborn, who slowly calmed down enough to open his eyes. When he did, Katara nearly burst into tears.

The child had clear grey eyes, just like his father. “Grey eyes.” Katara whispered. “Just like his daddy.” She gently caressed the newborn's cheek. The infant reached up clumsily and gripped onto her finger.

She gazed over at her husband. It had been a long time since she had seen him so happy. He was wearing his wonderful smile that went practically from ear to ear; and she could see that he was crying tears of joy.

“Avatar Aang, Lady Katara, do you want to me to let in your family and friends now?” The midwife asked.

“Yes.” Katara answered.

The midwife bowed briefly and then stepped out the door. “You can come in now.” She informed the group waiting outside the door.

“It's over?” Sokka asked.

“Yes, I can tell it's over.” Toph said. “So you don't have to worry about fainting like an old lady.”

“Haha.” Sokka said sarcastically.

Hakoda, Sokka, Suki, and Toph stepped into the room, grinning brightly at the new parents.

Aang was the first one to speak. “It's a boy!”

Hakoda moved over to Katara's side, gazing down at his first grandson. “He's beautiful, Katara.”

Sokka and Suki were next. “Geez, why do all newborns look squishy?”

Toph punched Sokka in the arm. “That's your nephew you're talking about.”

Katara ignored her brother, pulling back the soft blanket that covered the child's head and also noticed the boy's soft black hair.

“Black hair.” Katara commented, turning towards her husband. “Just like your hair was when it grew out. And grey eyes, too? He takes a lot after you.”

“There's a superstition in the Earth Kingdom.” Suki began. “They say if a child looks like their father, then the mother is completely in love with her husband.”

“That sounds about right.” Katara said, smiling at her husband.

“So, do you have a name?” Hakoda asked.

“No.” Aang answered. “Not yet. But I've been thinking about it.”

“And how are you feeling, Katara?” Sokka asked.

Katara sighed. “Tired… and hungry.”

“Well, I say that a feast is in order to celebrate the birth of Aang and Katara's firstborn son.” Hakoda said.

“Good idea!” Suki said enthusiastically. “I'll help. I think I'm starting to figure out the Air Nomad recipes Aang uses.”

“You just rest, dear. We'll take care of everything.” Hakoda kissed Katara's forehead. The rest of the group left.

Katara settled back, and the small infant began to fuss, kicking at the blanket that bundled him.

“Hungry?” Katara whispered. She lowered her gown on one side to expose her breast. Judging by the enthusiasm at which the child latched on, he was very hungry.

As he watched, Aang was struck once again at how amazing women were. It only took a woman nine months to create a new life. And, once that life was born, a woman's body provided food for the new life.

Aang smiled to himself. “That's one tradition that can go.”

“What?”

“The celibacy thing.” Aang said. “Monks respect all life, and yet they denied themselves the greatest of life's miracles. Creating new life… that is the greatest thing we humans can ever do. No one should be denied that.”

“Okay.” Katara agreed.

 

LES: A very long chapter by any means! I still haven't 100% approved the name for Aang and Katara's son, but I'll get there.