So after watching the finale and thinking over some things, I realized that I should create another Book 4: Air. Because my head has been raging with this better idea of what could happen next in the Avatar world. And this time I won't be assuming how the ending of Book Fire went. But seriously this one seems a lot better than my other one.
Book: Air
Ch.1 Fruit Pies (tee-hee, I'm thinking of Kalandri's pie joke)
The adventure of a lifetime started with in an iceberg and soared with a comet. The Gaang just couldn't believe looking back at this whole adventure that it lasted only a year. The friendships they've made, the love that was shared, and the tears that they cried throughout their travels together seemed to transcend a lifetime. And it was heartbreaking when it all came to a stop, and it was back to the old boring life again.
Much has changed but the love remains the same. Peace is restored within the fire nation government and nations are cooperating with each other. The world has turned to a brighter view.
Peace acts are passed, reconstruction is being done, marriages are held, and smiles are seen more often. Money has been returned to the poor without anymore war taxes, and all weapons factories have been shut down. Chains were removed from the innocence and held tighter onto the guilty and ruthless.
The world was seeing through a different light by looking at everyone's own light.
Times were less troubled and that meant good news for our heroes. They could now relax and enjoy the light of the world.
"Attention, can I have everyone's attention please." Sokka stood with a bold smile at the dinner table. The ending of the war really shaped him into a man, Sokka grew out his hair a bit and his facial hair, and he looked more like his father everyday.
"Come on Suki stand up," He offered her a hand up and she giggled. Suki had come to stay in the South Pole. She blended in with the water tribe except for her beautiful ginger hair. She nervously fidgeted in front of everyone at the table. All eyes were on the raised couple.
Every night for dinner this same group of people would come to dine together. It was Hakoda at the head of the table and Sokka and Suki on the other side. Aang, Katara and Toph would be on the left side, and Pakku and Gran-Gran would be on the right.
"So everyone knows that Suki and I have been married for a few months now." Sokka announced, Suki blushed. "And dad I'm happy to say that you're going to be a grandfather, and Katara you're going to be an aunt."
The whole room gasped in an overjoyed expression.
"No way, Suki you're pregnant!" Katara stood up and hugged her sister in-law.
"And Gran-Pakku you're going to be a Grand Gran-Pakku!" Sokka said hugging his annoyed grandfather. He still hated the name he was given. But he bowed in respects that the family is blossoming.
"That is wonderful news. That news just reminded me of how old I really am." Hakoda said with a laugh.
"Well, I feel twice as old as you'll ever be son." Gran-Gran replied back. The room laughed again. "Alright I think its time for this old woman to head home. What about you Pakku dear?"
"Yes, the evening continues and I grow weary, thanks for dinner Katara." Pakku said as the elderly couple stood up to leave.
"Wait, I have a fruit pie baking in the fireplace right now. Aang just gave me the recipe for it. You sure don't want to try it?" Katara asked.
"No, I couldn't eat another bite." Pakku said.
"But thank you Katara, you sure know how to cook a meal. I just wish your brother was a lot like you, helpful and thoughtful without asking." Gran-Gran slightly scowled at Sokka.
"What?" Sokka shrugged.
"Why don't we walk you home, right Sokka." Suki elbowed her husband and pulled him up to his feet.
The four of them headed out the door into the wintry dark night.
"Well, I guess I'll go check on the pie." Katara headed for the kitchen.
"I gotta go to the bathroom. No offense but I think my stomach doesn't agree with stewed sea prunes or anything that's stewed." Toph said running to the outhouse.
That left Hakoda and Aang at the dinner table, alone. Aang played nervously with his fingers under the table. Hakoda was a good father and all, but he could never think of anything to say to the guy. After all he was dating his only daughter. And it's those kinds of connections that make times like these very awkward.
Hakoda and Aang both remained silent, glancing at one another but turning way.
"So…um…Katara's birthday is coming up." Hakoda said breaking the silence.
"Yeah….four more days." Aang added in a sheepish smile.
"Right…the big sixteenth birthday."
"Uh-huh." Aang grabbed for his tea cup and nervously sipped it.
"Are you thinking about giving Katara something special for her birthday?" Hakoda asked trying to keep the little conversation alive.
"Yeah, it will be you know, something special for a special girl on her special day, cause it has to be something special, right?" Aang nervously giggled, then cleared his thought. Why must his conversations be so awkward with him?
"I can think of one present that she would really enjoy. She told me about it once, I think she would be very happy to get it."
"Oh yeah what's that?" Aang asked sipping his tea again.
"You asking for her hand in marriage."
Aang spit out his tea and choked, "What?"
"I think you're a really good kid Aang. You make my daughter very happy. I was assuming that you might ask for her hand on her birthday, and I just wanted to let you know that I approve if you had any thoughts about it." Hakoda finished with a smile.
"Oh, well thanks." Aang faked a smile back.
Hakoda dropped his, "Its okay to be nervous, son. This is a big step in life, just don't rush it or think it through too hard."
"Right." Aang hunched his shoulders.
The smell of a warm fruity pastry filled the room, Katara came in carrying a big purple gelled fruit pie, hot and fresh from the fireplace.
"I smell dessert!" Sokka's voice could be heard coming in. Sokka and Suki quickly took their seats.
"Finally something that's not stewed." Toph praised coming back into the room.
Katara placed the pie in the center of the table. Sokka was about to dive into it but Katara pulled the pie away from him, "Wait, Aang can you get it the final touch." She looked at him innocently.
Aang looked at the fruit pie as if staring at his wedding cake. He sent a small gust of wind to make the gel swirl up in a finishing center.
"That looks great." Hakoda said as Katara cut the pie evenly.
Everyone dug in, savoring every bite.
"So Aang how is it? Just like home?" Katara asked and placed her hand in his.
Aang gulped the piece of pie in his mouth hard. "Yeah, it's perfect sweetie. Nice job." Aang choked out.
"You should help me make dinner one night, Aang." Katara tightened her grip warmly around his hand, and inched closer.
"Right, and maybe you could help her with the laundry and make mittens and clean the house." Sokka added in with a laugh.
Suki punched him in the arm, "You know you're going to have to help me with all those things once I have the baby."
Sokka's laughter dropped.
Toph giggled just thinking of Sokka doing all those things in an apron with a brawling infant in his arms.
"You know what I'll take the rest of this pie and give it to Appa. He loves fruit pies." Aang got up and took the rest of the pie outside. He wanted to avoid any conversation right now. He needed to think.
"Hey, wait I wanted a second slice!" Sokka yelled after him.
Katara looked back at Aang and for once since this evening she frowned.
Aang placed the pie in front of Appa who was sleeping next to the house with Momo on his head. Appa ate the whole thing without any effort. He drooled at the sweet treat.
"You like it boy. It's not made straight from home, but its close enough. Still sweet and delicious." Aang said and flopped down in the snow in front of him with a sigh. He stared at the household of Hakoda's family.
Katara, Sokka, Suki and Hakoda live here, and have always welcomed him in at anytime. But now Aang didn't feel comfortable near it anymore now that marriage was brought up between Katara and him. Why did he feel this way? Does he really want marriage in between his relationship with Katara? Would it feel the same?
Appa nudged him sensing that something was wrong. Momo came down upon his shoulders and looked straight into his eyes.
"Sorry for the puzzled expression guys, but I'm just confused that's all. Katara's father expects me to marry Katara, but I don't know if I'm up for that yet." Aang replied.
He could see Katara in the window of the kitchen. She was washing the dishes. She looked out and saw him and waved.
Aang waved back.
"But I don't know if Katara really wants that," Aang spoke in a lower tone. "Does she?" Aang stared at his girlfriend. But just looking at her wasn't enough to give him the answer to his problem.