literature

TOKKA 2012: Day 2

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"She is beautiful, Toph."  Sokka was finally allowed back to see the baby after the midwife and Katara cleaned up mommy and daughter.  He couldn't help but be in awe at what he held in his arms.  Life, in the form of a small child with a tuft of black hair, eyes like tiny jade pieces, and a cute button nose, not unlike her mother.

"Guess I'll have to take your word for it." Toph replied quietly.  It surprised him.  He thought she would be more…happy.  Tired, but happy.  She seemed almost sad.

"Trust me, she's perfect.  She is the Blind Bandit's daughter after all."  This brought a small smile to the earth bender's face and Sokka praised himself for the tiny victory.

"Sokka?"  The man stiffened.  Toph rarely called him by name, even after all these years.  She pat the mat next to her and Sokka sat down.  He passed the newborn back to her mother and watched them.  Toph's movements were a little clumsy and he could tell she was nervous.  He'd give the guy who left her a hell of a beating if they ever crossed paths.  Who would leave her?  Leave this?  "I'm scared."  It was so quiet he nearly missed it but when he did it brought a tightness to his chest.

"It'll be okay, Toph.  You're not alone.  The gaang will help you, you know that."

"That's not what I'm scared of, Snoozles."  Sokka breathed a sigh of relief.  What he said must've made her feel a little better after all if she was back to using nicknames.  The councilman moved closer and put his arm around her.  After a few moments of listening to baby babble Toph spoke up again, "I don't want her to hate me."

"Toph, there's no way-"

"I don't know what to do.  I have no idea how to take care of a kid.  What if I make the wrong choices for her?  What if I expect too much of her?  Or I'm just…not enough for her?"  Sokka started rubbing circles on the new mother's back as he listened in silence.  "I don't want to push her away.  I don't want her to feel like there's a wall between us like I do with my own parents."  Sokka gathered the two girls into his arms and spoke into Toph's hair.

"You are the toughest woman I know and also one of the kindest.  You are understanding and accepting.  Toph, you truly see people, you see them better than anyone.  You'll know you're daughter in a way no one else will and you will love her more than anything.  Will you two always get along?  No.  Will you always understand each other?  Probably not.  What's important is that anything you do or say is out of love for her.  If you do that, then that's all that matters."  Sokka began to rock back and forth as he continued, "When I was little I hated my father.  I looked up to him, sure, but there were times I despised him.  Our mother was gone and he left us regularly to fight or to fish.  Sometimes, selfishly, I admit, I thought he cared more about the tribe than his own children.  I was too blinded by this misconception that I pushed him away when he did spend time with us.  One day, I realized that even though he didn't have much time when he was home, and even though he was tired or busy, he always found time to spend with us.  And after a couple of years, I learned that everything he did was for Katara and I, even if it meant being separated.  He was fighting and hunting to keep us safe and fed.  We were what drove him, gave him strength, and kept him going no matter what."

Toph brought her hand up and Sokka grabbed it and brought it to his cheek.  She let out a breath before responding, her voice back to normal instead of the meek and unsure one before,

"Thanks, Sokka.  I understand.  I appreciate you sharing that with me.  We're gonna be okay, aren't we baby girl?  Besides, not only to do you have an awesome mother, you have some almost nearly awesome aunts and uncles."  Sokka laughed and released Toph's hand and gave her and the baby some space, his arm still lingering around Toph's shoulders.

"So, have you picked out a name yet?"  Toph brought the child up to Sokka's chest and made her first official introduction.

"Sokka, this is Lin.  Lin, this is your uncle Snoozles.  He can't bend, but he's still strong.  He has crazy ideas but he gives good advice from time to time."  

"I'm also a master swordsman."

"Right, right, he swings a sword around too."  Toph added with a smile.  Sokka brought his free hand down to let Lin grab his finger.  He kissed Toph on the forehead and gave his welcome to youngest Bei Fong.

"Hi, Lin.  I'm glad to finally meet you.  You're mommy loves you so much and…and so do I."    
Day 2 submission for Tokka Week!
Prompt: Parents
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DanceInTheRain23's avatar
Awww, you got me right in the feels!