Korra heard three light knocks on her door followed by Tenzins' voice,"Korra, could you come to the door please?"
Korra sleepily walked over to her door and opened it, "Good Morning, Tenzin." with a sarcastic salute. "What do you have in store for me today?"
"Don't tell me you don't know what today is." Tenzin said looking down on the sleep deprived girl. Korra furrowed her eyebrows searching her memory.
"Uh, what's today..?" He knew Korra has had a hard time after her capture, but could she really forget her own birthday? She needed to get her mind off being the avatar, she needed one or two days off. And he knew his present to her would do exactly that. "Korra, it's your birthday. And your present from me is waiting on the dock."
"That's today? Wow, I completely forgot.." Korra looked to the ground. Did she really forget it was her birthday? She didn't really want to celebrate. She has been having a hard time, and all she really wanted was a day to rest. Then Korra grasped fully what Tenzin said. "On the dock? Why'd you put it there?" Korra looked up confused at Tenzin. He simply grinned and mumbled, "You'll see."
Korras mind was racing. What could Tenzin have gotten her? "Ya' know, Tenzin, you didn't have to get me anything. You've done so much for me already, and you know that I appreciate it all." Korra walked on Tenzins right, and looked up to him as she talked, unaware of what is in front of her. She has spent many recent nights walking the grounds of Air Temple Island when sleep eluded her. She could walk it with her eyes closed.
"I know, I know. But I wanted to do something special for your birthday." Tenzin kept his eyes ahead of him. He couldn't wait to see the look on Korras face. They arrived at the beginning of the dock when Tenzin stopped walking.
Korra turned and faced Tenzin with her back to the dock. She noticed that everyone was following them. Pema, the airbender kids, Asami, Bolin and Mako were all standing a few feet behind Tenzin. "Why did you stop?" Tenzin let a small smile slip onto his face and he looked at something over Korras shoulder. "Happy Birthday Korra."
Korra gave Tenzin a quizzical look before she turned around to see her present. Korra couldn't believe her eyes. "M-mom.. Dad?" Korras legs moved faster than her brain and before she knew it she was in a full out sprint. She ran up and practically tackled her mother to the ground. She loved how petite her mom was. Korra could smell the scent of lavender, the smell she was so used to associating with home. Korra felt tears start to sting her eyes. She then felt a strong, firm hand on her shoulder. She released her mom and looked up in the gentle eyes of her father. His eyes were watering as well and Korra was suddenly wrapped up in his hug. Korra loved how little her fathers hugs made her feel. "I've missed you both so much." She managed to say into her fathers chest.
Mako and Bolin loved seeing Korra this way. They have never seen her smile so wide and so long. They were incredibly happy for her, but at the same time, jealous. They wanted that. They wanted to see their parents one more time. Wanted hug their mom and dad and never let go. Then Bolin caught another figure behind Korras parents. "Psst, Mako, who is that?" Bolin pointing in the distance. Mako looked from Bolin and followed that path of his figure to a man standing behind Korra and her family. He was wearing a White Lotus Guard uniform. "He probably just came from the South Pole with Korras parents to protect them." But then Mako noticed the guard was holding something behind his back. "What is he holding though?"
Korra never wanted to let go of her father. He was so strong and brave. She felt so safe in his arms. There were only two people who made her feel safe when they held her. Her father, and- "Korra," Her father interrupted her thought. "Your mother and I have missed you so much." He looked lovingly at his beautiful wife and his beautiful daughter. "And I've miss you both so much" Korra said throwing her arms around both of them. Her mom giggled, "Korra, we brought you a present." Korra was dumbfounded as she wiped away her final tear of joy. "What could you possibly give me? You're here, and that's all that matters." Senna exchanged a look with Tonraq and looked back and Korra, "Well, we thought you'd want to see one more person." Her parents separated creating a path between her and the White Lotus guard. Korra squinted, and quickly realized this wasn't any White Lotus guard. "Howl..?" she practically whispered.
The White Lotus guard looked up from ground and into Korras eyes. He revealed the bouquet of panda lilies that he brought for her hiding behind his back. He could feel himself blushing. "Hey Korra. Happy Birthday."