"Mom, how old were you when you knew you loved Daddy?" Jinora asked, despite knowing the answer.
"Well, darling, I was 16 when I decided to become an Air Acolyte, as I had just finished my education in Republic City itself. Occasionally in school we'd take trips to the island, so I caught glimpses of your father form a very young age. He was my teacher that first year. Even though he was twice my age, I certainly had a crush on him," Pema laughed. "I didn't confess my feelings until I was 20, and we married three years later. Two years after that, you were born!" Pema grinned. She was holding Rohan while he napped and Jinora read. Ikki and Meelo were outside racing Korra, but Jinora didn't feel up to it.
"Did anyone think your age difference was…strange?" Jinora continued.
"Well, sure," her mother admitted. "My own parents were worried and even thought that, while I was underage, Tenzin might have…taken advantage of me." She shook her head slowly. "But you know he was involved with Chief Bei Fong, and he would never hurt her while they were together like that, and nor would he proposition a teenager," she chuckled. Pema then wondered why Jinora was inquiring all those things. A knowing smile crept upon her face as she realized.
"Is there someone a little bit older who you might be interested in?" Pema asked.
"What?" Jinora blushed. "No! I mean, even if there was one such guy, our age difference isn't as large as your and daddy's!" she said frantically. "When you were my age, daddy was 26!"
"Yes, Jinora, that's true." Pema sighed. "Do you want to tell me who it is?"
"Mom!"
"Okay, okay; you're nearly eleven, I should get used to your keeping secrets. And I promise I won't tell your father."
"MOM!"
"Jinora, settle down," Pema scolded with a smile. "But, my one piece of advice to you: cherish your youth. You're very smart for someone who's only lived a decade, and smart people grow up far too quickly, it seems." She shook her head. "If it's meant to be, he'll come around. For now, enjoy being a little kid. And if, when you are all grown up-I can't even imagine you being older!-He doesn't like you, you can always kick his butt with your airbending!"
"Mom, he can earthbend, I don't think"- Jinora covered her mouth when she realized the information she'd given her mother.
"Oh, thank the spirits," Pema let out a sigh of relief, "I thought you'd fallen for that firebender boy. He's quite the heartbreaker, I hear!"
"Mother!" Jinora had turned the shade of the aforementioned firebender's scarf.