I know, I know, another Zue story? What can I say... they will forever be one of my favorite ships. This story, I'm hoping, will be of novel-length, focusing on Yue and Zuko's marriage, but also their past relationship and how they came to be in love! Odd number chapters will focus on the present, while in the even ones will be flash-backs! Enjoy all of the Zue goodness! -avatla

Chapter One

Yue gazed down at the royal gardens, smiling to herself as she watched her son feeding the turtle ducks. The light, spring breeze rustled her long, silk robes and blew the blooming cherry blossoms past her. She rested her elbows casually on the balcony's ebony railing, letting her white hair fall around her body. The sun was nearly set, and the moon would be full tonight, giving her the courage for what she needed to do.

"Arnook!" Yue called over the fragrant breeze, watching her son's face turn to hers. His blue eyes, much alike hers, seemed to reflect the sun's dim rays and sparkle. He was the spitting image of her husband, all but the eyes and the coloring. She couldn't help but giggle to herself as the toddler stood and tottered over, closer to the balcony.

He tilted his head back all the way, staring up at her, "Yes, mommy?" He asked, smiling crookedly up at her, his teeth missing in more than a few places.

"Come inside and wash up for dinner, okay darling?" Yue asked him, watching him nod and dash out of her sight, back into the palace.

Yue jumped at the feeling of hands tightly clasping her waist. She felt the owner of the hands lean his body into hers, resting his chin on her shoulder, breath tickling her ear. Yue never failed to blush when her husband did such things.

"Hello, Yue." Zuko whispered against the shell of her ear, causing shivers to run up and down her spine.

"Hi, Zuko." She whispered giddily, like a Fire Nation schoolgirl.

Zuko released her waist and moved next to her, standing tall and gazing out over the blossoming treetops, long dark hair shifting slightly against the wind. Yue looked up at him, smiling as she took his hand, holding onto it tightly. She too, stood upright again, slightly leaning into his shoulder.

"Honora and I starting her firebending training today," Zuko told her, squeezing her hand and finally meeting her gaze.

"Don't be too stern with her… you know how sensitive our little Nora is." Yue reminded him, laughing a bit.

"I won't." He said, smiling the tiniest bit down at his wife. Yue knew that Zuko would always protect his little girl from harm, as Honora, their first born, took after Yue in many ways, but was a very big daddy's girl. Nora was always going to be kept safe and happy as long as Zuko was by her side.

Arnook, however, could endure almost anything without shedding a tear. The little soldier, just like his grandfather, was never unhappy or in tears. He was a bit of a crazy child, always finding new ways to culminate bruises and scrapes, but he never dwelled on the pain. Yue hoped that he would be a waterbender, just like she was.

"Where is the little princess anyways?" Yue asked, glancing down into the courtyard again, "I barely saw her today."

"She's been playing with Ty Lee's girls ever since her lessons got out," Zuko said, chuckling.

Yue nodded, smiling at the thought of the large gaggle of girl's Ty Lee had in her life now. Two sets of triplets, to be exact. And they all loved Honora and Arnook as if they were their own siblings. Yue and Ty Lee had become as close as sisters, too, over the years she had been living in the palace.

Zuko headed back into their room, removing his spiked shoulder ornamentation and lied down on their bed, closing his eyes. Yue followed him in, lying down beside him, gazing up at the gold-plated ceiling, feeling her heart rate spike. She knew she had to tell him soon. Sooner was better than later.

But now, with him obviously resting after a long day, did not seem like the right time. His arm curled around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She draped her arm over his torso, feeling him sigh contently. After six years of marriage and nine years in total of being together, Yue still felt very much like they were still sixteen year olds, desperately clinging to each other.

Being 24 now, they had already gone through a lot together. Two kids, the end of a war, and one miscarriage later, though, they were still deeply in love, as if nothing had ever changed.

A few minutes of silence passed before Zuko stood up, bringing Yue up with him. He kissed her forehead before walking out of the room, down to the dining area. Yue stood in the room, leaning up against one of the bed's posters. She heard Arnook talking loudly to Zuko, who was indulging him in an animated conversation about turtle ducks.

She smiled slightly to herself, her hand resting on her stomach, wondering how she was going to tell him about her situation. Ever since last year's lost child, the subject of expanding their family even more was still a touchy one. Zuko knew that Yue had been devasted by their loss, but what he didn't know was that Yue was with child again. She didn't know who he'd react… considering how saddened he'd been at the death of their last child.

Yue sighed, torn a bit. The sound of running feet lurched her out of her thoughts. Five-year-old Honora, her long black hair styled just like Yue's had been when she was a young princess, stood in the doorway. Her big, amber eyes were staring at her curiously.

"Mommy, dinner's ready!" She said, looking at her mother for a moment, concerned. "Are you feeling alright?" She walked over and hugged her legs, staring up at her with bright doe-eyes.

Yue smiled, tucking a loose strand of her daughter's silken hair back into place, "I'm fine, Nora." Yue reassured her, picking her up and holding her close to her body, smiling at her little princess.

She felt Nora hug her tightly, "Okay, mommy." She said, placing a kiss on her mother's cheek, before Yue set her down.

Honora her mother's first three fingers and began to tug her out of the room, and into the hall. Yue saw Zuko sitting next to Arnook, helping the little boy use his chopsticks properly. Maybe he'd like another baby…

Please review, follow, favorite, and stay tuned if you liked this! In the next chapter, you will read more about Yue, before Zuko became a part of her life! -avatla

I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender's characters, plot, or universe!