During that first tumultuous year o

During that first tumultuous year of Zuko's reign as Fire Lord, he proposed to Mai. Zuko couldn't see the point of waiting. Yes, he was busy. Yes, some people wanted him dead. And yes, there were years of hard work ahead. But Mai's wonderful and continued presence in his life overrode all of that. Mai was his girl, his one and only girl and he wanted to marry her. So he asked one evening after supper, about six months after his coronation. He stumbled a bit over his words. Zuko was accustomed to speaking in front of people now, but Mai was different. He'd had something prepared in his mind but decided to speak spontaneously instead. Mai smiled a bit at his awkwardness. That was one of the qualities that endeared him so much to her. The young Fire Lord managed to get the words out eventually and Mai accepted without any hesitation.

Five months later, with all their friends and family present and in front of the Fire Nation, Zuko and Mai exchanged their vows. Reaching for Mai's hand and squeezing it gently, Zuko turned to face his people, more sure than ever that he could restore their honour
A Decade in the Life of Mai and Zuko

These are just a series of little one-shots I felt inspired to do. I wanted to write about one important/memorable moment or event in each year of the first decade of Mai's and Zuko's life together. These moments are not singular moments in time but rather events and the leading up to those events. Some are longer and more detailed than others. Here's the first one.

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Year Two

Sokka and Suki were getting married in a traditional water tribe ceremony on Kyoshi Island so as to combine both their cultures. Mai and Zuko had been wed a short seven months earlier and had not yet had a honeymoon.

"Maybe we can kill three birds with one stone," suggested Mai.

"What do you mean?" Zuko asked his wife.

"Well, we go to Kyoshi Island for Sokka's and Suki's wedding, visit with Ty Lee and stay a few extra days and have that honeymoon you keep talking about but haven't had the time for."

"Hmm," Zuko considered. "That's not a bad idea. But where are Sokka and Suki honeymooning?"

"Kyoshi Island," groaned Mai.

Zuko slapped his forehead with the palm of his right hand. "We'll probably be in a cabin right next to them."

"It might be fun, Zuko. You and Sokka get along so well and you know how much I like Suki. But we'll have to ask them first."

"Yeah, but I'm not honeymooning with Sokka," he complained.

Mai sent a letter to Suki mentioning the honeymoon. Suki was of the same mind as Mai. So late spring rolled around and the royal couple travelled to the Earth Kingdom island. There were reunions with Toph and with Aang and Katara. The island was awash with blue Water Tribe colors in combination with the greens and browns of the Earth Kingdom. Mai and Zuko stood out, wearing their red. Piandao wore black and gold.

The ceremony was lovely and the party afterwards loud, exuberant and fun-filled.

Tired and mildly drunk, Zuko retired to his and Mai's cabin. Mai stayed at the party, chatting with Suki. Lying down on the comfortable bed, Zuko fell asleep quickly. A few minutes later, the cabin door creaked opened and a figure entered the room. It walked towards the bed, carrying something in its arms.

"I smell flowers," Zuko thought to himself, half in sleep and half out.

The quiet figure put a huge bunch of flowers on the pillow next to Zuko's head.

"Mai, you brought me flowers?"

Sokka shrieked and bolted from the cabin.

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A Decade in the Life of Mai and Zuko

Year 3

Zuko had been Fire Lord for two and a half years. It was late winter and Mai was five months pregnant. The baby would be born in early summer. Mai felt awkward and slightly uncomfortable. Every day Zuko told her she looked beautiful. Mai never tired of hearing those words. Almost every night, they made love. Zuko, fascinated by her changing body, traced her rounded belly with his tongue and then covered it with soft kisses.

"There's a baby in there," he said every night with equal awe.

"Yes, Zuko," Mai replied patiently.

He caressed her tender breasts, wondering at their change as well. Drawing a nipple gently into his mouth, Zuko massaged the other breast with his hand. Mai moaned softly. Every feeling, every sensation in her body was heightened and Zuko's ministrations were driving her mad.

"Now, Zuko, I can't take it anymore," she demanded. Zuko obliged happily, entering her quickly. After just a few strokes, Mai cried out in release. She gripped Zuko's arm tightly and bit into her lip hard enough to draw blood. Excited, Zuko sucked her lower lip into his mouth. His movements became more intense and his release soon followed.

"Oh, Agni, Mai, I can't get enough of you. You look so lovely."

Mai flushed.

As the child's due date approached, Zuko often found himself daydreaming in meetings instead of concentrating on treaties and trade and reparations. He thought about small, soft, sweet - smelling infants. He secretly hoped for a daughter, one who looked like Mai. A son would be wonderful too.

Mai began to dread the pain of childbirth. Everyone from her mother, to Katara, to the palace staff had told her stories about labor and childbirth. Some were positively horrifying. Others were not. Mai's mind focused on the horrifying.

Early on the third day after the due date, Mai yelped in pain. Zuko rushed to her side, a questioning look on his face.

"Yes, Zuko, you had better get the midwife."

"I'm going," he said, his voice slightly panicked. He returned shortly with both the midwife and the palace physician.

Mai was hunched over and in obvious discomfort. The midwife instructed her to lie on the bed and proceeded to examine her.

"It's almost time to push, but not quite yet. Fire Lord Zuko, I suggest that you leave now."

"Oh, no, I'm staying with Mai. She's not doing this alone. That's my child too."

"But, but…" the old woman sputtered. "Your father wasn't in the room for your birth and your grandfather wasn't in the room for your father's birth."

"Why doesn't that surprise me," Zuko stated dryly. "I do things differently. I love my wife and I want to be here for her and see my child born. End of story."

"Fine," she said tersely, knowing she could do nothing anyway. No previous royal male had wanted to be present at the birth of a child.

"Zuko," Mai shrieked. "Stop arguing with the old hag and get over here."

Zuko smiled apologetically at the midwife, but she just shrugged, having been called much worse in her years of service at the palace.

"And get him out of here," Mai yelled, pointing at the physician. "We don't need him. "

Zuko led him to the door instructing the man to wait outside in case a need arose.

Mai endured another two hours of severe pains before she could begin the pushing process. Zuko held her hand and whispered encouraging words. Mai grit her teeth and squeezed Zuko's hand hard. She didn't want to be one of those women who screamed and cried all through labor. She could take the pain.

"Mai, it's alright to scream," Zuko said.

"I will not scream," she hissed, wincing as another contraction hit her like a wave of fire.

Zuko brushed the damp hair off her forehead and placed a light kiss there. "It's almost over," he whispered. "Our baby's almost here."

"That's easy for you to say, Zuko. You're not doing anything," Mai snapped.

"Push," yelled the midwife. "The head is crowning."

Mai felt intense, burning pain and whimpered softly. "This better be worth it," she joked and pushed again.

"Just one more time, Mai," the old lady prodded.

Mai gave the final push her all, grunting with the effort. Zuko quietly thought to himself that childbirth was a messy business.

A strong and healthy cry filled the room. Zuko looked over at the midwife. She held a squirming, gooey, beautiful infant in her hands. Zuko beamed.

"Well, look at that," the midwife declared. "You two have a very active, healthy daughter."

She wiped the baby off quickly, bundled her in a blanket and placed her in Mai's waiting arms. Mai's eyes shone with joy and unshed tears. "Zuko, look, there's a baby here."

"I know," he replied, kissing Mai softly on the lips and ghosting his fingers across his daughter's cheek.

"Keiko, that's her name," Mai decided, looking to Zuko for agreement.

"That's a lovely name," the Fire Lord said, looking down at his daughter once again.

"Here, Zuko, you hold her," Mai offered, shifting slightly and holding out her arms. Zuko took the bundle gingerly, supporting her tiny head. He looked into his daughter's light gold eyes and smiled.