I'll Be.

Even after all these years, he remembered Lian looking best the day of her wedding. Of course she was always beautiful, but that day she looked absolutely flawless – it was an occasion they had been waiting for, for some time now. Outside, under a cherry blossom tree (her favorite kind) he held her in his arms, sealing their marriage with a kiss.

She wore a simple dress, long but not too puffy or princess-like. He wondered if it really felt like a fairy tale to her, she claimed her life had started to feel like one once they got serious. He was glad to have her, too, even if she didn't seem to always believe him. He pulled away and she gave a dazed smile, laughing a little. Her hair was a little out of place, now, but she finally seemed relaxed at their wedding.

Azulon was the first one to stand up, giving his son a smile. Did he ever approve of a woman like Lian? No, of course not, she had quite the reputation in her young age, but Iroh saw the good in her just like he did anyone else. His teenage brother followed the suit of their father, only after a glare. Iroh smiled genuinely, the way he always did, as he walked away, arm-in-arm with his newlywed life. She was excited, nearly dragging him back in the limo which made him fall on top of her.

"I don't want to ruin your dress." He chuckled as he sat upright, feeling her wrap her arms tight around his. He gently brushed his lips across her forehead and she looked up to him, like a curious child. "I'll be the greatest man in your life…" He whispered in a rare serious tone. She poked his nose with a mischievous smirk.

"You already are, Iroh."

Sunday Mornings.

Iroh quietly made his tea in the kitchen, not wanting to disturb her sleep. He started to make her favorite kind, too; she liked waking up to it. It surprised him, how someone in their late twenties was willing to sleep so late. Still, she didn't necessarily have a permanent job right now, so why force her into a habit she didn't quite need yet? It wasn't his way, but she wasn't him, so he'd let her be.

"Iroh?" She moaned from the bed and he smiled, she was probably still half asleep, calling to him like a teenager who was ready to play sick so she wouldn't have to go to school. He heard her feet pad the floor as she got out of bed, very slowly of course, and made her way to him. She had her robe tied at the waist and was in the process of twisting her silk hair into a messy bun.

"Good morning." He pecked her cheek and she warmly smiled, slipping her arms around his abdomen from behind and resting her head between his shoulder blades.

"It's raining." She yawned and he laughed lightly, pouring his tea into his favorite glass – the one he tended to use every morning despite the numerous ones he owned. Why did everyone buy him tea cups for Christmas?

"Yes dear that it is." He acknowledged, glancing out the window to the grey sky. Like anyone else, rain seemed to bring down Iroh's mood, but he wouldn't let Lian catch onto that. Her mood could be so easily twisted; he didn't want to make any drastic change.

"We should stay in today." She whispered, softly nipping at his earlobe until she heard a soft purr. She traced the outline of his abs with her index finger, which only gave him the chills. He put his empty glass down and turned to face her, pushing her strands of hair out of her face and cupping her cheek in his palm.

"Perhaps we should…" He leaned forward to kiss her.

Bad Influence.

Maybe it was that her hair was loosely tied back, or her dress was a little too short. It could have been that maybe her cleavage was pushed up just a little too much; it could be that she was giggling at everything that was said to her. Whatever it was, Lian seemed more comfortable around Iroh's family than she had ever been.

"One more drink, Iroh." She held up her glass of wine and he graciously refused; somehow finding it impossible to be embarrassed by his wife's behavior. He knew she was one to have a 'good' time before him, why not let her let loose once in a while? Sure here wasn't the best choice, but she wasn't an obnoxious drunk, just a happy one.

"No, dear, I am fine." He took the glass from her and pecked her cheek. Azulon sneered; never ready to put down his favorite son, but his eyes speaking a thousand words. Ozai didn't seem pleased seeing he was the one being vented on with scolds and lectures.

He didn't even mind escorting her to the bathroom, clicking the door shut and holding her hair back. He'd have to talk with her about it in the morning, but he just wasn't concerned. She mumbled when she was finished and he adjusted the clip in her hair so it stayed back before sitting on the floor with her.

"You're all so much better than me." She slurred and he frowned, tucking her hair neatly behind her ear. She smiled and leaned into his hold. "All so beautiful and presentable…and then you get stuck with someone like me, who can't even stay sober because I don't know how to deal with stress." She started to ramble and he pulled her to sit between his legs, cradling her like a child.

"It's alright; I just wish you wouldn't work yourself up so much, you know there's no need for this." He whispered and she nodded, resting her head against his chest. "They just don't see you the way I do."

"Nobody sees me the way you do…I'm just a bad influence on you."

Love Her.

"She has clinical depression." The doctor informed from behind the desk. Iroh kept his lips pursed in a frown, but nodded. He expected something had been going on for some time now; he just wasn't sure how to handle this. "Lian didn't want you to hear it from her; she was in hysterics when we asked if she'd like us to speak to you."

"Hysterics? What did you say to her?" His brows furrowed with frustration, where was his wife?

"Just we asked her how she was feeling and…it went into doubt and worthlessness." That wasn't what he hoped to hear, but what did he expect? "She should be out any moment. We're starting her on a low dosage of SSRI; it has the least side effects and should keep her mood, appetite, sleeping order…"

"I'm not sure how I feel about this…" He scratched the back of his neck – he loved his wife. He would take care of Lian with or without medication, always. She stepped in the room and took her seat beside him, a smile masking the tears she had shed. Her eyes were still red and puffy.

"I'm sorry; sir, but your wife requested this." The woman replied and he glanced to Lian, who was fidgeting with the fabric of her skirt on her lap.

What I Want.

Playfully, Lian sat on her husband's abdomen. Sure it was late, but nobody had to go to work in the morning. He groaned and rolled over, fighting her away with swatting hands, but with a pillow in hand she clearly had the upper hand. She leaned forward and teasingly kissed his chin; she could feel him smile to that. Her moods had been better, so great in fact she weaned herself off her medication over the months. Only when her moods were really bad did she take it – maybe a little extra, just in case.

"Iroh, I have news." She whispered and he pulled the pillow off his face to look her in the face, still smiling like a child.

"News? Then you should tell me, dear." He winked and she giggled, running her fingers through his greying hair. She made a 'hm' sound through her closed lips, thinking over whether she should or not. Remaining silent so she could have her fun, Iroh played with her delicate hands. She fought back with her fingers and he did the same in childish pride.

"I'm pregnant." She whispered and he stared. Her smile went to a nervous, concealed frown. Was he upset? Did he think she wasn't ready? "That is great!" He pulled her frame to his and began smothering her with kisses and affection; she felt a warm feeling. One that he always seemed to give her.

Life Starts Now.

She had been taken off her medication altogether for fear of birth defects. She had been given other methods of dealing with her depression in case she got in a 'mood'. Lian had been checked on every two weeks, for behavior purposes and the baby.

Still, three months later it was declared a miscarriage.

Of course she cried, and even though he tried to hide it, Iroh cried, too. They suffered sleepless nights, and she refused her medication each time it was offered to her. Iroh put up a good front, that he was ok, ready to move on with her. After he felt more at ease, he focused on comforting her, it would take a greater toll on her; she was the one carrying life. He explained how natural it is for a mother to get so down about a miscarriage, but she could tell he was, too. With his back faced to her at night, he stayed up for hours thinking about it. he thought she didn't know.

He always looked out for her that way.

"I shouldn't be here right now…" She whispered one day, while they sat in bed watching a movie. It puzzled him, but Iroh let her finish, she had something she wanted to get off her chest. "Iroh…I was abusing my medication." She confessed.

"Lian…you are not being punished. Surely it's a great loss, but we can get through it together." He assured and she wiped her eyes quickly. He hated it when she cried, more than she could ever know. He wiped her eyes with the side of his thumb, she was trembling now. Why was she so scared?

"I abused them when I was pregnant."

It's kind of brief (I actually didn't plan on focusing on his marriage for a whole chapter). Now for ages, Iroh's in his early thirties and Lian her late twenties – Ozai's in his later teens. I kind of wanted to give definition to Iroh's life, even if it's only my view. He doesn't get much of his past written, or not much I've seen. Either way I don't read here enough to know.

As for his wife, she's never mentioned so I kind of threw …this in. I figure he'd have a happy wife but not everyone starts out the way they are now (Iroh almost brought down Ba Sing Se after all…). I figured he would be the one to see the best in a person and she does make a turnaround; probably around Lu Ten ^^.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.