Tokka- A Mother's Journey -Chapter 10-

Month 6

They had been at the Beifong residence for a little over two weeks. In that time, Sokka had been tested many times by both Lao and Poppy, and their tormenting gradually lessened as they slowly accepted him. Lao on many occasions asked him to do physically demanding chores around the house. He claimed that he didn’t trust the incompetent servants, but Sokka and Toph both knew he was shamelessly testing Sokka’s strength. He passed every time, thanks to many sparring matches with Toph that kept him fit.

Meanwhile, Poppy was constantly lecturing Toph about how to take care of the baby. And she went on and on about finally being a grandmother. Little does she know, Toph thought, that I’m never coming back to this place again.

One morning, Sokka woke early, feeling wide awake. Through the window, he could see the first rays of dawn. He looked over at Toph, who was sound asleep next to him. Trying his best not to wake her, he slipped out of bed, dressed, and grabbed his sword.

The courtyard was a lovely place, even in early winter when the ground was blanketed in light snow and the trees were bare. He unsheathed his sword and immediately began to run through some warm up exercises his old master had taught him. The slick snow made him concentrate more on his footing and balance, and he was thankful for the challenge. Once his blood started pumping, the cold air felt good against his warm skin, and his breath came out in puffs of gentle steam.

“Sokka?”

Lao’s voice startled him, and he lost his balance, barely catching himself before he face planted in the snow. “Yes, sir?” He regained his composure easily, but he still flushed in embarrassment.

“Could I speak to you for a moment?” Lao didn’t even wait for an answer before he turned around and started walking away.

Sokka sheathed his sword and ran after Lao along the path, nervously trying to guess what Mr. Beifong wanted.

“I understand that we have not exactly been… hospitable… toward you. And I must apologize for my rude behavior.”

He’s apologizing? “Well, uh… I understand, sir. You were only trying to do what you thought was best for your daughter.”

Lao genuinely smiled at Sokka for the first time. “I never liked you and your friends.”

Sokka laughed nervously and rubbed his neck. He remembered very vividly the first time he had visited the Beifong residence.

After all, you did take my blind only daughter away from me.” He chuckled. “You all were just so reckless. You were a bunch of kids running around without any adult supervision, claiming you were going to save the world from a militant power who had been terrorizing the world for a hundred years!”

Suddenly the situation did appear to be a little ridiculous.

“But I failed to see your dedication and sacrifice. Somehow, you kids were able to transform the world we live in for the better.”

“Well, yeah, I guess we did!” Sokka said proudly, puffing out his chest.

“But I still held a grudge against you. I realized how foolish I was being, thanks to my wife. I realized that there was no better person to trust with my daughter. Although you could be wiser, you are brave, strong, and capable.”

Did he just call me stupid?

“And so I give you my blessing.” He put his hand on the warrior’s shoulder, and Sokka felt an enormous sense of relief. But why? It was all a cover. He didn’t need Mr. Beifong’s blessing, or even his acceptance. He only needed him to believe the lie. If anything, he should feel guilty for conning Toph’s father.

“I appreciate it.”

Lao smiled again. “Now before you two leave, I’d like to give you something.” Lao led Sokka back inside and down a hallway. He stopped in front of a linen closet and opened the door to reveal stacks of ordinary-looking contents. Towels, blankets, etc.

The head of the Beifong family reached up to the top shelf and pulled down a neatly folded grass-green blanket. Upon closer inspection, Sokka could see that embroidered vines with bright yellow blossoms danced around the edges.

“This was Toph’s baby blanket.” Lao explained with a nostalgic little smile. “It would make my wife and I so happy to have our grandchild swaddled in the same linen.” He held out the neatly folded package. “I thought I should probably ask you rather than Toph. I am aware that she doesn’t particularly enjoy being reminded of her childhood.” He frowned, and Sokka actually felt bad for the old man. “I assure you, we were only trying to do our best to protect her. But please take it. It’s a family heirloom, and it would mean the world to us.”

Sokka gently took the blanket from the old man and cradled it in his arms.

^*^*^*^*^

Toph woke up to a soft tapping on the door.

“Toph, dear?” It was her mother.

She reached over to shake Sokka awake, but found the other half of the bed empty. She groaned. “What, Mom?”

Poppy gently opened the door, fully dressed and made up, and sat on the bed next to where her daughter was lying. Why is everyone up so early? Toph wondered sleepily.

“Your father and I have been talking.”

Oh, boy…

“And we both agree that we might owe you an apology.”

Toph was wide awake now, and she sat up in bed. Now this is getting good…

“Your father and I have never really approved of the way you live, and you know that. How you left without our permission to train the Avatar, of all people. How you refused to come back home and went to live in Republic City instead. How you became the chief of police in such a high-crime area. And now how you decided to get married so… untraditionally.”

“Yes, I am fully aware of how you are disappointed in every decision I’ve made.”

Poppy frowned. “But Toph, you’re blind, and the way you live is dangerous even for a sighted person! And as your parents, you have to understand how we would feel worried.”

“But Mom, I’m not just any blind little girl. I have my own way of seeing, you know.”

“But how were we supposed to know? You kept a whole other life completely secret from us.”

“Because I knew you would disapprove. And you did.”

Poppy sighed. “But Toph, what I’m trying to say is that we neglected to realize that you were unhappy living a protected life, and that by trying to keep you safe we pushed you away from us. Now we have come to appreciate the brave things you’ve done for the sake of Republic City and for the world, without our help. And we are so proud of you.”

Her last sentence echoed in Toph’s mind. They’re proud of me? Finally? She didn’t know how to react, so she just sat there, expressionless.

“Your father and I would be overjoyed if we could be a part of our grandchild’s life.” She reached out and placed her hand on Toph’s belly, a smile slowly spreading across her face. Poppy looked up at Toph’s blank face. “Please say something, Toph.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she said dumbly. She placed her hand over her mother's.

Toph sighed, and Poppy recognized the look on her daughter’s face. It was the same worried look all mothers had for their children.

“When you were born, I was so scared, Toph. We both were. We were sad because our little angel would never see the bright sun, or the green grass, or the blue of a cloudless summer sky. I felt like I had failed as a parent. How could I have let my daughter come into this world blind?” Poppy paused to blow her nose into her handkerchief while Toph awkwardly rubbed her own stomach.

“I’m scared, Mom,” Toph said quietly. “What if the baby ends up like me?”

“The baby very well might be born without sight, as you were. But even if the baby is blind, will you not cherish it the same as if it had the luxury of all five senses?”

“Of course I will. But what if-.”

“That is all you need to know,” Poppy interrupted. “You only need to love the child, and everything else will turn out fine.” The graying woman smiled at her daughter.

Toph reached out and hugged her mother for the first time in years, relief washing over her. It felt good to have her parents’ guidance when she needed it. But now she felt bad for lying to her mother about the baby’s true father. Sure her parents had become more accepting, but she doubted that they had become that accepting.

^*^*^*^*^
When Sokka returned to their room, Poppy had left and Toph was dressed and putting up her hair. He furtively placed the blanket in one of his bags, pretending to search for one of his maps which he knew was really in another bag.

“Where have you been?” Toph asked, adjusting her headband.

“Uh, I was just practicing.” Sokka held up his sword, thankful he didn’t have to lie and get caught.

Toph could tell there was more to the story, but decided to overlook it. “My mom came and talked to me.”

“Really? What did she say?”

Toph relayed the story to him, beginning to end. “All I ever wanted for the longest time was for them to accept me as I am, and now that I have it I don’t know what to do. I lied to them, Sokka, and I feel bad about it. But how can I tell them? I would just disappoint them again.”

Sokka thought for a moment. “I don’t know what to tell you.”

Toph swung at him.

“Ow! What the heck?”

“You’re supposed to have all the good ideas!”

“I’m sorry, but this one will have to be up to you to decide.”

^*^*^*^*^
After another week of visiting, Sokka and Toph decided it was time to leave. They had replenished their supplies, and with much hesitation Sokka accepted some money from the Beifongs to help with their traveling expenses. They were at the front gate. Poppy had her handkerchief out, ready for a tearful goodbye. Toph, however, was having a difficult time concealing her joy. The guilt of lying to her parents was really starting to get to her, and soon she would be free of it.

Poppy latched onto her daughter. “Please send a letter when the baby is born. We’d love to meet our new granddaughter or grandson.”

Toph froze. The nightmare wasn’t over. She would have to keep pretending that Sokka was the baby’s father every time her parents visited. Or what if someone else accidentally spilled the beans? Surely her parents would never speak to her again if they found out that way.

“That’s it!” Toph said, taking a step away from her mother. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“Toph,” Sokka whispered to her, afraid she would regret this later, “you only have to keep it up for a little while longer, you know.”

Toph ignored him.

“What are you talking about, Toph?” her mother said, looking quite worried.

“Mom, Dad, Sokka and I aren’t married,” she said. Her parents gasped. “The baby isn’t even his.”

Poppy fainted, but thankfully Lao was able to catch her head before she hit the ground.

^*^*^*^*^
Poppy woke up in her own house again with three sets of eyes on her. “I had the worst nightmare,” she said. “Toph, you said that you and Sokka weren’t actually married! And…” Her voice trailed off when she saw that no one else was smiling. “It wasn’t a dream, was it?”

No one answered.

Mrs. Beifong sat up in her bed. “Toph, why would you lie to us?”

“Gee, I wonder,” Toph said sarcastically. “I mean, look! You fainted! That's a pretty bad reaction. I just didn’t want you to be disappointed in me even more. Especially after you could finally accept me for who I am.”

Poppy lay back down again and put her hand over her face.

Lao, who had been silent since his wife passed out, finally spoke. “Toph, how did this happen?”

She told them everything. About how she and Shi had met, their relationship, how she became pregnant, how Sokka had convinced her to visit him, and how they had discovered Shi was married.

“So you two are only friends?” Poppy asked. “You two sure did put on a great act.” She giggled to herself.

“Is that really what you have to say after all that?” Toph said with confusion and some frustration.

“I don’t know what else to say, Toph. What could possibly be done? After all these years of flying toward the sun, your wings have finally melted.”

Toph frowned. “I know what I did wasn’t the smartest thing, but this baby will be a blessing, not a curse.”

“Maybe you should stay with us for a while,” Lao suggested. “You can’t possibly raise a child all on your own.”

“Don’t try to tell me what I can and can’t do,” Toph said. “Remember, I’m not a helpless child.”

“But Toph, I don’t think you understand how much work it takes to raise a child.”

“I’m ready for it, Dad. I really am. Besides, I won’t be doing it alone. I have Sokka to help me, plus all my friends in Republic City.”

Lao still looked unsure.

Sokka spoke up nervously. “I promise you, you can trust me to look after her. She’s my best friend and I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her.”

Lao nodded slowly. “You do as you wish, Toph. It’s not like we can stop you anyway. You’ve always done what you want, regardless of what we say.” Toph was surprised to see him smile. Surprised, but relieved.

Soon enough, they were at the front gate again. Lao embraced Sokka, much to his surprise. “Thank you for looking after my daughter.”

“Thank you for your trust, sir.”

Poppy hugged her daughter again, the waterworks already starting up. “Would you still like to see the baby when it’s born?” Toph asked.

“Of course. As you said, this baby will be a blessing to the family.”

As they left Gaoling, both Sokka and Toph walked with a lighter gait, Poppy waving her handkerchief behind them.

^*^*^*^*^
As Bao and Lee entered the city of Gaoling, they immediately began to ask about Toph Beifong. Of course, the first person they asked knew exactly who they were looking for.

“The Beifongs are the richest family in the Earth Kingdom! Aside from the king, of course. I heard Toph Beifong was visiting, but I don’t know if they’re still there.”

“Where do they live?” Lee asked eagerly.

“In the mansion over there,” the shopkeeper said, pointing to his left. “It’s hard to miss.”

Five minutes later, they knocked on the huge front door. A servant with thinning hair answered. “Who are you?” he said suspiciously, observing their worn clothing.

“We’re, uh, messengers. From Republic City,” Bao said. “Is Toph Beifong here?”

“No, they just left.”

“Do you know where they’re headed?”

“Back to Republic City, I believe.”

“Thank you.”

They had to find them before they made it to the City. Otherwise they were dead meat, either by the hands of the police or the hands of Gao.