Prologue:
Aang and Katara have been married for eight years now. They have two children, twins, a son Liam and a daughter Trinity who are now six years of age. Though Liam is a water bender, he has the personality of an air bender, he is very energetic, unable to sit still for very long, always has to be doing something, has a short attention span, and very often gets himself into trouble, he also has somewhat of a short temper which he may have inherited from Katara. Liam is about average in his bending skills but he is right about where he should be for his age. He is also very independent and likes to do things on his own. Trinity on the other hand or Trini as she is mostly called is practically Liam's polar opposite, she is an exceptionally skilled air bender. She also has a much more calm and relaxed personality then does her brother Liam. Trinity is also a very intelligent and inquisitive little girl. She is always observing things, taking in her surroundings and asking questions about everything. Trinity is also a Momma's girl always around Katara and a bit of a whiner at times.
Though Aang and Katara's permanent residence is in the South Pole, the family spends most of their time traveling, as Aang still has his Avatar duties to maintain. At the moment they are visiting with Fire Lord Zuko. Though Aang did have some business with the Fire Nation this is mostly a vacation, a visit with an old friend.
Fire Lord Zuko loves the kids, he connects mostly with Liam as the boy reminds him of himself when he was young. Zuko finds himself reminiscing about his uncle Iroh and his mother and at times even Azula. While he enjoys playing uncle to the Avatar's children at the same time he begins to long for a family of his own. Both Aang and Katara notice this and start to worry about their friend.
B.T.W: As far as ages go: this is eight years after A Little Bit of Fluff so Aang is 28, Katara is 30, Zuko would be32, Sokka and Myoshi are both 31, and Ky-Li would be 7
And as mentioned the twins are 6
Chapter 1: Old Friends
Katara sat upon a bright red blanket in the middle of the palace gardens very much enjoying the warmer climate of the Fire Nation. She sighed in content and gazed upward into the bright sunlight allowing its comforting rays to warm her face. The idea of being able to sit outside during the winter was absolutely wonderful to her, not to mention being able to sit surrounded by the lush greens, reds and pinks of the beautiful garden foliage. It was such a contrast to the frozen and colorless South Pole. She smiled to herself; one of the perks of being married to the Avatar was being able to escape the bland of home with the excuse of duty.
She did, however, feel a slight bit guilty knowing that the rest of her family was still stuck back at home suffering through the harsh winter months in the South Pole while she and Aang had managed to escape to this paradise. Katara couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of considering the Fire Nation as a paradise. She could remember, after all, not to long ago when the idea of even passing within a hundred miles of any Fire Nation island could result in disastrous consequences. Times had certainly changed since the end of the war. At last peace had become a way of life. Of course small squabbles did arise occasionally between communities but nothing compared to the world war that she had grown up with. But this was to be expected. After all, everyone was still adjusting to this new found peace. No one expected it to come easily. That's why Aang was here after all, to help keep the peace, maintain the balance, and act as a mediator to the people.
"Guess who," a tiny voice suddenly interrupted her train of thought as a small pair of hands unexpectedly covered her eyes. Katara smiled.
"Hmmm," she said as she slowly reached up to the child's arms, "let me think…could it be…..TRINI!" She pulled her daughter forward and into her lap. The girl tumbled into Katara's arms in a fit of giggles.
"Momma," she cried, "how did you know?" Katara smiled down upon Trinity.
"Lucky guess," she chuckled. Trinity gazed up at her mother, her big gray eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
"Hey Momma," she smiled, "look what I can do!" She enthusiastically leapt from Katara's lap and casually brushed her messy light brown curls from her eyes. She reached into the pocket of her little blue kimono and pulled out three glass marbles. She held the little glass orbs in her tiny palm and covered them with the other hand. She then held her tiny clasped hands out in front her mother. Katara just watched in both curiosity and amusement. Trinity focused her energy on her hands; she stuck her tongue out as she concentrated. Katara tried not to laugh at the humorous expression upon her face. Trinity then quickly lifted her hand and began to spin the marbles around quickly in a circle using air bending. She grinned at her mother in satisfaction.
"That's great Trini," Katara exclaimed excitedly, "did Daddy teach you that?" Trinity nodded innocently.
"No…I just learned it by myself," she grinned at her mother, "hey what's Liam and Uncle Zuko doing?" Trinity flopped down onto the soft blanket, leaned up on her elbows and gazed off in her brother's direction.
"Oh, Uncle Zuko is teaching Liam archery," Katara responded.
"What's archery," Trinity asked scratching her head. Katara shook her head in amusement.
"Why don't you just watch and see," she smiled.
Katara brought a hand to her forehead to shield her eyes from the bright sunlight and peered ahead of her in Zuko and Liam's direction. She smiled at the sight. It wasn't all that long ago after all that Zuko had been her and Aang's enemy. The feared Prince Zuko all attitude, no emotions; and now look at him, taking the time to teach their son archery and actually enjoying himself while doing it too! Katara shook her head in amusement. Where did this version of Zuko come from, this patient, and content version of Zuko? He even seemed to have a sense of humor at times. The twins brought out such a sweet side of him. Katara wondered why it was that he hadn't settled down yet, started a family. He seemed to be such a natural with the children.
Zuko knelt down at eye level with Liam straightening his tiny arms as he pulled back firmly on the bow and arrow. He followed his eyes along the arrow gazing ahead to the target.
"Keep it steady Liam," he said. Liam nodded he took a deep breath and held it. Zuko let his arms go and stood gazing down upon the boy.
"Concentrate on the target and when you're ready…release." Liam gazed ahead, one eye squeezed tightly shut, his little arms shaking just the slightest bit. Zuko just watched him studying his form.
"Steady," Zuko whispered. After a small pause that seemed like forever Liam let his hold on the arrow go. It sailed straight ahead striking the white ring just around the center red circle. Liam dropped his arms and smiled. Zuko looked down on him and grinned.
"Very nice Liam," he said. The boy grinned proudly with Zuko's praise. Just then Aang suddenly appeared at the entrance of the garden.
"That's it," Aang exclaimed happily stretching his arms over his head, "the last of my appearances in the fire nation, we can finally get on with our vacation." He grinned in relief.
"Daddy," both Liam and Trinity exclaimed at the sight of Aang. They both dropped what they were doing and ran to their father in excitement. Aang beamed at the sight of his children. He crouched down to their level and opened his arms wide. They both ran into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"Hey you guys," he smiled, "what have you been up to all day?"
"Uncle Zuko was teaching me to shoot Daddy," Liam exclaimed.
"Is that right," Aang replied.
"Daddy, Daddy… look what I can do now, look," Trini exclaimed, she quickly pulled out her marbles and repeated her air bending trick for her father. Aang beamed with pride.
"Not bad," he said, "not bad at all."
Zuko looked on at Aang and the kids. He walked toward the target and began collecting the arrows. Katara slowly made her way over to him, picking up Liam's bow from the grass as she casually came up beside him. Zuko glanced briefly in her direction and smiled before once again turning to gaze upon Aang and the twin's.
"I've been ditched," he sighed smiling slightly. Katara smiled back at him and began to laugh.
"Oh Zuko, don't worry," she chuckled, "you are Liam's favorite uncle, next to Sokka, I'm sure he'll be back for more." Zuko smiled at her comment. Katara casually handed him the bow.
"You are so good with them Zuko," she smiled, "you would make a wonderful father, why haven't you settled down yet?"
Zuko silently gazed down upon the soft grass beneath his feet and then slowly turned his gaze back toward Aang and the kids.
"You sound like my advisors," he sighed in a somewhat failed attempt at humor, "They keep insisting that I need an heir." Katara just gazed at him curiously.
"I'm sorry," she sighed, "am I putting my nose where it doesn't belong?" Zuko turned to her and smiled slightly.
"No, it's fine, it didn't bother me," he replied, "it's just…I really don't have any good reason for not settling down by now…except…well…you know not everyone is as lucky as you and Aang."
"How so," she questioned.
"Come on," he grinned, "you two have known each other practically your whole lives…I've spent most of my life pushing everyone away." Katara smiled at him sympathetically, and reached for his hand.
"Zuko I know you've had a hard life, but you deserve just as much happiness as me and Aang, don't deprive yourself of that." Zuko nodded smiling slightly.
"Thanks Katara."
The two walked back to where Aang and the twins were. Aang was on his hands and knees now crawling around the grass with Liam and Trinity sitting upon his back giggling. Zuko and Katara paused to take in the humorous scene.
"The great and powerful Avatar," Zuko sighed. Katara just shook her head and they both began to laugh hysterically. Aang glanced up at his wife and friend briefly and winked at them.
"Uh Oh," he cried suddenly, "I don't think I can hold you guys much longer…I think I'm getting weak!"
"No Daddy," the two kids laughed, "don't loose us!" Suddenly Aang leaned to his side causing Liam and Trinity to fall from his back. They tumbled to the ground in a fit of laughter. Aang sat upon his knees gazing down at his children as they lay side by side, their faces red with laughter. He was suddenly distracted by a soft hand gently caressing the back of his neck. He glanced upward to see Katara standing beside him. He smiled at her lovingly and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Hey beautiful," he said softly.
"So our vacation has officially started," she smiled. Aang nodded, a mischievous expression creeping across his face.
"No," he pulled her forward into his lap and kissed her lightly upon the lips," now it's officially started." He smiled.
"Ewwwwww," both Trinity and Liam exclaimed simultaneously sticking their tongues out at their parents.
"Hey," Aang cried raising an eyebrow at them in amusement. Katara just laughed.
Zuko gazed at the family in amusement. But watching them laugh and play he couldn't help but feel just a little bit sad. Their's was a kind of happiness that he had never experienced even in his own family as a child. The closest he'd ever come was with his Uncle Iroh and his Mother, but both of them had been tragically taken from him at a young age. He sighed heavily thinking back over Katara's words from earlier, 'you deserve to be happy, don't deprive yourself of that.' He wondered if it was possible, if he could ever really have the kind of life he now observed.
That night
In the large library of the palace Zuko sat across from Aang at the Pi-Cho board awaiting Aang's move. He rested his chin upon the palm of his hand and gazed at his friend in curiosity. He wondered how this man four years younger then he had gained so much. Not only had he single handedly brought an end to a century's long war and united the world in peace, but he had also managed to capture the heart of a very special woman along the way, a woman that had agreed to be his wife, and now he was the father of two beautiful and happy children. Zuko smirked slightly and ran his hand across the top of his head. It was strange for him to think of Aang as a father. He could still see the Avatar as that spirited fourteen year old boy, full of determination and preparing to take on the Fire Lord. Now this man sitting across from him had a family, he had new priorities, not that those didn't also include keeping the world at peace and in order as well, but his wife and his children were now the most important element in his life.
Aang sat in silence, fully concentrating upon the board. Zuko smirked slightly.
"Aang have I finally found your weakness," he joked. Aang glanced up at Zuko and grinned sarcastically.
"If only I had known," Zuko grinned, "I would have challenged you to a game of Pi-Cho on the first day we met."
"Excuses, excuses," Aang smirked. He placed his tile and gazed up at Zuko. Zuko shook his head and sighed.
"Not bad, not bad…for an amateur," he placed his own tile destroying Aang's tactic in a single play. Aang leaned back in his chair and sighed in defeat. Zuko chuckled.
"How about a rematch," Aang said suddenly leaning forward and raising an eyebrow at Zuko.
"A gluten for punishment are we Aang?" Zuko began to reset the board.
"So Aang," he questioned, glancing up to his friend, "how is everything, family life I mean?" Aang reached his hand over his head rubbing the back of his neck. He smiled at Zuko.
"Honestly," he paused, "it's great…Katara's wonderful, the kids are great….I don't think I've ever been happier, I have no idea how I ever got along without them, how about you Zuko, how's life as the Fire Lord. Zuko shrugged gazing back down upon the Pi-Cho board.
"All business I'm afraid, you know paper work and public appearances" Zuko sighed, "not nearly as exciting as the Navy I can tell you that." He glanced up at Aang.
"You know Aang, I'm thankful that the war is over now, but don't you ever miss the old days you know being on the run, always living in suspense, never knowing what's going to happen next." Aang smiled slightly at his friend.
"Maybe a little," Aang said, "but I certainly don't miss all the fighting." Zuko nodded.
"Besides," Aang smiled, "I think Liam and Trini are enough to keep me in suspense for the rest of my life." Zuko smirked at Aang's response.
"Hey Zuko when's the last time you've been away from the Fire Nation," Aang asked suddenly, "you know took some time off from all the paperwork and public appearances?" Zuko ran his hand over the top of his head and glanced up at Aang.
"I can't even remember," he sighed, "life's been so hectic since the peace agreement."
"Zuko," Aang exclaimed in surprise, "we signed the peace agreement nearly eight years ago….maybe you should seriously think about taking a vacation, getting away from the palace, you have enough advisors to take care of things while you're gone." Zuko gazed at Aang a little in surprise at his suggestion.
"Maybe your right," he sighed.
Suddenly Liam ran into the room dressed in a pair of light blue pajamas his dark brown hair was let down from its usual pony tail and now hung down in his face. He ran straight for Aang and into his arms. Only moments later Katara ran into the room after Liam. At the sight of her Liam became frantic.
"Daddy, Daddy…can I stay up with you and Uncle Zuko Pleaseeeeeeee."
"Liam!" Katara scolded, "I told you it was time for bed." Liam sneered at his mother and then turned back to Aang gazing at him in hopefulness. Zuko leaned forward upon his palm trying desperately not to laugh. Aang turned to Liam with a stern expression upon his face.
"Liam, he said firmly, "you have to listen to Mommy…if she says it's time for bed then it's time for bed." he gently placed him back down on the floor.
"But…but…but," his eyes began to tear up as Katara took him by the hand.
"Oh please mommy can I just stay up just this one time please, I promise I will never ask again as long as I live ever, ever, ever!" Now both Aang and Zuko were holding back their laughter. Katara sighed heavily flashing Aang a quick grin. She knelt down beside her son and smiled at him.
"Only if your father says its okay," she replied. Liam once again turned to Aang and grinned up at him innocently.
"Please Daddy."
"Oh alright," Aang gave in, "but just this once…and remember you can't ever ask again as long as you live, Aang reminded Liam of his promise. Liam nodded solemnly and then happily climbed atop Aang's lap. Katara just shook her head.
"Come here my little trouble maker," she sighed, "give me a kiss goodnight." She leaned forward and kissed Liam on the forehead she then leaned to Aang wrapped her arm around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Aang slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him for a moment.
"Are you sure he's alright down here Aang," she questioned.
"He's fine," Aang smiled up at her, "he'll probably be out in fifteen minutes." Katara chuckled.
"Let's hope," she said crossing her fingers. Aang chuckled and watched her as she turned to leave the room.
Liam kneeled up on Aang's lap and gazed down upon the Pi Cho board in curiosity. Zuko smirked at the boy.
"Good evening Liam," he greeted. Liam smiled up at him his blue eyes gleaming.
"Hi Uncle Zuko, what are you and Daddy doing?" Aang grinned at Zuko.
"Well Liam," Zuko leaned forward, "we are playing a game called Pi-Cho," he smiled. "Do you know how to play Pi-Cho?" Liam nodded.
"Would you like to learn?"
"Sure," Liam exclaimed excitedly. Zuko smiled at the boy, he glanced over at Aang briefly.
"Hey pay attention, Aang you might learn enough to break your loosing streak." Aang just shook his head and laughed.
Later That Night
Aang slowly made his way up the palace stairs with Liam draped over his shoulder fast asleep. His tiny arm wrapped around his neck. Once he reached the top of the stairs he headed down a long corridor to the guest room where the twins where staying. He opened the door slowly, careful not to move too much so as not to wake the boy. He kicked the door opened with his foot and slowly made his way into the room. Gently he lay Liam down upon his bed and pulled the covers up over top of him. Liam rolled over to his opposite side and slowly stuck his thumb in his mouth. Aang chuckled silently. The boy acted so tough during the day but he resorts to thumb sucking in his sleep. Aang leaned forward and kissed his son upon the forehead. He then made his way over to Trinity's bed. He gazed down at her, such a peaceful little angel, just like Katara. He knelt down before her brushing her messy curls from her perfect little face and kissed her lightly on the cheek. She moaned slightly and Aang pulled her covers up to her chin. He slowly backed out of the room.
He headed down the hall to his and Katara's room which was only just next door to the children's room. He slowly opened the door and quietly tiptoed into the room gently closing the door behind him trying desperately not to make a sound. Katara, after all, deserved all the sleep she could get after dealing with two mischievous and quite rambunctious little six year olds all day. He slowly made his way over to the bed and gazed down upon his wife, sleeping peacefully amidst the cushy pillows and fluffy blankets. She was just as beautiful as ever. He knelt down beside the bed and just gazed at her. He gently brushed the loose strands of her long silky hair from her face and tucked them neatly behind her ear. She opened her eyes slightly and smiled.
"You're staring at me again," she whispered. Aang chuckled.
"No I'm not," he whispered back. He slowly leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the forehead. He then stood and made his way to the foot of the bed. He casually took off his shirt and tossed it to the side.
"Did you put Liam down," Katara asked. Aang nodded.
"He was out in a half an hour," Aang smiled, "I was off by fifteen minutes this time." Katara shook her head and chuckled.
"But Zuko kept him busy," Aang said, "Liam is now an expert in Pi-Cho." Aang slowly crawled under the fluffy blankets and wrapped his arms around Katara. She turned over on her side to face him.
"What are we going to do with that kid," she smiled, "he is just a little ball of energy!" Aang shrugged smiling back at her.
"You know," she smirked, "it's your fault."
"My fault," he grinned.
"Yes," she replied, "he is just like you, he can't sit still for two seconds, he has to get into every thing, and cause trouble….."
"Hey," Aang chuckled, "you never complained about me being a trouble maker before," he grinned at her mischievously. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her softly on the neck.
"Aang," she grinned.
"What," he replied innocently. He gazed at her longingly and then leaned in slowly kissing her passionately on the lips. She gently wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Aang slowly rolled her to the bed softly moving his hand along the gentle curve of her back. He continued to kiss her neck and shoulders sending shivers down her spine. Suddenly they were interrupted by a knock at the door and a tiny voice.
"Mommy." Aang paused and gazed down at Katara imploringly. She looked up to him apologetically. He shook his head.
"No," he whispered leaning forward to Katara once more, "she'll go away."
"Aang," Katara whispered in amusement. Aang sighed heavily and rolled to his side of the bed in utter defeat.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, she kissed him on the cheek.
"Great," Aang sighed, "eight years of marriage and we're back to pecks on the cheek." Katara walked over to her bedroom door and opened it to find Trinity standing in the hall clutching her water tribe doll. Her hair was all messy and in her face and she was rubbing her eyes. She gazed up at her mother and yawned, her grey eyes still half asleep. Katara smiled at the girl. She kneeled down before her.
"What's the matter Trini?"
"I had a bad dream Momma," she said softly.
"Oh, come here baby," Katara sighed. She opened her arms and Trinity gratefully entered, wrapping her skinny little arms around Katara's neck.
"It was only a dream Trini," she whispered as she stood and began to rock the little girl in her arms, "it wasn't real."
"I know," Trinity whispered gazing up into her mother's blue eyes. Aang rolled onto his stomach facing the foot of the bed and gazed at his wife and daughter.
"Momma," Trinity said, "can I sleep with you and Daddy?"
"Well Trini…," Katara started.
"Of course you can sleep with us," Aang sighed. Katara turned to him and smiled.
"Are you sure," she mouthed the words. Aang nodded his head and smiled. She carried her daughter over to the bed. Aang sat up and Katara handed her over to him.
"Hey you," Aang said. Trinity gazed up at her father.
"Hey you," she answered in her tiny little voice. Aang smiled, he lay her down upon the bed between him and Katara and then collapsed into his own soft pillow.
"Daddy," she said suddenly.
"What Trini," he sighed.
"We're gonna learn bending tomorrow right?"
"Yes Trini," he sighed.
"And your going to teach me the air scooter right Daddy?"
"Trini it's going to take a long time to learn the air scooter."
"But you're going to teach me right?"
"Right." Katara gazed up at Aang and giggled. Aang shot her a sarcastic glare.
"You promise," Trini said.
"I promise Trini."
"With sugar on top?"
"Trini," Aang said, "if you want to learn the air scooter you know, you're going to have to go to sleep so that you are nice and rested in the morning?"
"Okay," she whispered, she squeezed her eyes closed. Aang shook his head and chuckled silently and then slowly closed his eyes.
"Daddy," she said suddenly.
"Ugh, what Trini," Aang sighed.
"How come I have to go to sleep to air bend?"
"Because," he whispered.
"Because why?"
"Because I said so…now…go to sleep Trini."
"Okay," she sighed, "…Goodnight Daddy….Goodnight Momma."
"Good night Trinity," both Aang and Katara replied simultaneously.
To be continued .