Precious

It had been a few days since Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe gave birth to Avatar Aang's first child. It was a boy who they named Bumi, after one of Aang's lifelong friends. To say that Aang was overjoyed at the birth of his son was an understatement. Bumi was the result of his and Katara's love for one another. Out of that love, they created something so beautiful. It was one evening in the Southern Air Temple, when Aang had returned from a walk around the temple. Since he and Katara had moved in two years ago, they had done a fine job restoring the temple to its former glory. Whenever he walked through the hallways, he was flooded with memories of the times he spent there over a hundred years ago. He was determined to keep the Air Nation alive. As the last airbender, it was not only his duty, but his heart and soul. Upon entering the bedroom that they shared, Aang saw Katara laying in bed, breastfeeding Bumi. At the sight of this, Aang smiled warmly. Nobody could ask for a better mother. Katara looked up as he walked closer to the bed.

"How was your walk?" she asked.

"It was nice. The weather was perfect. If it were daytime, I would go gliding," Aang, said taking a seat on the bed beside his wife.

"That's good to hear. I've just been sitting here with Bumi. He sure is a hungry boy," Katara said.

"Maybe he takes after his Uncle Sokka," Aang teased.

The two of them laughed. "Well, that would be my guess too," Katara replied.

Aang watched as Bumi suckled from Katara's breast, watching his tiny hands lay upon her skin. It was such a beautiful thing to see. Aang hoped that everybody had a chance to have a child of their own. After a few more minutes of feeding, Katara gently pulled Bumi off her breast, wiping his mouth with a cloth.

"That's a good boy," Katara cooed. "You sure have quite the appetite."

"How are you feeling?" Aang asked.

Since it had only been a few days since Katara had given birth to Bumi, she was still exhausted. Not surprisingly, Aang made it his utmost concern to tend to her while she rested in bed for a few days. Katara had wanted to go practice waterbending at a lake near the temple, but Aang insisted on her getting some rest. As a new mother, she would need all of her strength.

"Still very tired. I got up and walked around the room this morning, but it wasn't long before I felt drained of energy. I'm sure my strength will come back soon," Katara answered.

"Yes, it will. You just need some more rest, that's all. Before too long, you'll be back in tip top waterbending master form," Aang said.

Katara rolled her eyes, all the while smiling. "I never lost my form," she replied.

"Oh, I'm sure of that," Aang said, giving Katara a kiss on the cheek.

The two of them returned to look at Bumi, who by now had drifted off to sleep. "He's incredible," Aang said.

"Yes. He sure is," Katara agreed. "I love him so much."

"I love him too. I also love you very much," Aang said.

"And I you," Katara said in agreement.

"Just looking at Bumi makes my whole head spin. In a good way of course. I can't believe that I'm a father."

Katara smiled as she looked at Aang, who was beaming with fatherly pride. To know that she gave him such happiness filled her heart with more joy than could be described.

"I'm so glad, Aang. You deserve to be happy," Katara said.

At this Aang leaned in, giving Katara a kiss on the lips. "We deserve to be happy," Aang corrected.

"Indeed. And happy we are," Katara agreed.

Aang reached out a hand, and gently stroked Bumi's short black hair, being ever mindful not to wake him. The smile that was on his face seemed even bigger than before. Oh, how he loved his son. How he loved Katara too. This whole moment, just the three of them sitting together; it was precious. They had overcome many hardships to get at this moment, but as difficult as those times were, they were worth it for what resulted in the end. Slowly, Katara got out of bed, giving Bumi a kiss on the cheek, before putting him in his crib.

"Goodnight, sweetie. Mommy loves you so much," Katara said.

"And daddy loves you so much too," Aang said.

With that, Aang got into bed with Katara, giving her one long passionate kiss before drifting off to sleep. Through the night, Bumi slept quietly, while his parents held each other in a warm embrace. They both knew that these past few days, would be the first of many more to come.