Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Airbender, it's characters, or anything affiliated with it. I just own this story.

Full Summary: Modern AU. Sokka has never been a fan of arranged marriages. But when an old friend of his father, who just happens to be the President and CEO of the company he works for, offers to take care of his family's debt, under the condition he marries his only daughter, he's under no position to refuse. Will Sokka and Toph find happiness after their "Happily Ever After?" Will they come to love each other like their families say?

1. Boy Meets Girl

"How about her?" Haru asked as he pointed to a good looking girl sitting down at a table in the bar.

Sokka rolled his eyes as he handed a drink to a customer. "Don't even start, Haru."

A sigh escaped the young man's lips. "You know Sokka, sooner or later you're gonna have to get back out there." He grabbed a towel from one of the drawers and began wiping down the counter. "It's been almost a year now."

Sokka glared at his friend. "I appreciate your concern, but I've got enough problems in my life to let some girl complicate it more."

Haru's face softened. "Sorry, I guess I wasn't thinking. So how's your dad doing?"

Sokka's face fell at the question. Ever since his father was diagnosed with cancer he's taken on all the family's burden. With his grandparents retired, and his little sister in medical school, Sokka's had to take on another job, not only to pay off his own student loans, but to help pay for his father's medical bills. "Haru," he said finally, "I really don't want to get into-"

"Whoa, check her out," he interrupted.

Sokka groaned for the hundreth time, and was about to tell Haru off until he looked up and saw who he was talking about.

She walked into the bar with confidence, despite the fact she was using a cane. However, it was her eyes that first caught his attention, they were unlike anything he'd ever seen before. And her hair was a beautiful raven black that shined with a blue tint under the lighting of the bar. She was literally one of the most beautiful creatures he's seen in quite some time, and the firey red, strapless dress that complemented her slim hourglass figure made her stand out even more. His eyes followed her as she felt her way to the nearest table and sat down.

"Well, are you going to say something to her or what?" Haru asked.

Sokka snapped to attention, tearing his eyes off the young lady and to his friend. "Me? Are you crazy? What will I say?"

He rolled his eyes. "Gee, I don't know, how about; Hi, can I get you a drink? You are the bartender after all."

Sokka turned his attention back to the girl. "No way. She's out of my league."

"What makes you say that?"

He gestured at her. "Hello, I can tell from here that everything she's wearing is designer. She'd never go for a guy who can barely afford his own rent."

"You don't know that," Haru argued, "maybe she doesn't care about stuff like that."

"Trust me, all rich people care about stuff like that," he scoffed.

"If you ask me you're no better than the typical rich jerk."

"Excuse me?"

"You haven't even met the girl and already you're judging her just because she's rich."

"I'm not judging her I'm just telling it like it is," Sokka defended.

Haru crossed his arms. "Right, so now you're saying you don't want to talk to her."

"I never said that."

"Then go on then, work your "Sokka charm" on her."

He raised an eyebrow. "My Sokka charm?"

"Just go already. Unless you want me to work my charm on her instead?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Sokka frowned, and before he knew it he took a deep breath, left behind the counter and approached the table. Alright Sokka, he said in his head calmly, Just play it cool.

The girl turned her head in his direction as soon as he approached her table.

"Um, hi," said Sokka, "My name is Sokka, I'm the bartender. Can I get you a drink?"

Her ears perked up at the sound of his name as her cherry red lips stretched into a smile. "I don't know, this is my first time here. What would you suggest?"

His eyes shifted. "Me?"

She nodded.

"Um,...well, we do have some really good sake here,- oh! And uh, they say we got the best red wine in Gaoling."

She smiled at him. "You don't drink much do you?"

Despite her being blind he focused his attention on the bar's hard wooden floor. "No, not really. Only on occasions." He cleared his throat. "I uh, I kind of had an embarrassing experience with alcohol in college that left me scarred for life."

"What happened?" She asked out of curiosity.

His cheeks colored at the memory. "I got really drunk, so I don't remember everything that happened, but I do remember getting drinks thrown in my face, dancing on a table, and waking up naked with body parts drawn on my forehead."

She burst out laughing at his story. "Y-Yeah, I see how that can scar a person for life," she said in between laughing. As soon as her laughter died down she took a breath. "I'll just have a glass of red wine."

"Coming right up."

"Wait."

Sokka quickly turned around to face her. "Yes?"

"If you're not busy..." She bit her lower lip. "...When you bring my drink, do you mind joining me?"

Sokka gulped. "Me? A- Are you sure?"

She nodded, and Sokka could see the faint blush appear in her cheeks. "If you're not busy of course," she replied.

Heat rose to Sokka's cheeks. "Sure. Okay." He quickly made his way to the bar and grabbed a glass from the shelf and a bottle of what customers raved to be the best red wine in the city.

Haru handed him another glass. "Dude, don't forget one for yourself."

Sokka frowned. "You know I don't drink on the job."

Haru smiled. "It's just one glass Sokka. Don't worry, the boss left for the night, remember? I won't tell."

Sokka took the glass and placed it on a tray with the other one. "So, are you gonna ask her out on a date?" Haru asked.

"I don't know," he said honestly.

"What do you mean you don't know? She's totally into you."

Sokka's face deepened in color. "You think so?"

Haru gave him his 'you're so stupid' look. "She asked you to join her didn't she?" When he nodded he continued. "You've got to get back in the game some time."

Sokka realized his friend was right, although he still couldn't fathom why a gorgeous girl like her would want to hang out with a guy like him. He was convinced, somehow he found confidence in his friend's words and decided in his mind that he will ask her out. Once he finished with both drinks he walked with a new kick in his step as he made his way back to her table. Unfortunately, his mind was so busy strategizing how to ask her out, he wasn't paying attention and tripped over his own two feet, falling to the floor, and spilling both drinks on the girl and her dress.

"What the hell?!" She shouted in anger.

Sokka's eyes widened at the sight. "Oh my God!" He quickly jumped to his feet. "I'm so sorry! Let me get a towel." He ran over to the counter to get a clean towel, and once he found one he raced back to her. "Here."

"What?" She asked.

In that instant Sokka berated himself for forgetting she's blind. "Sorry! It's a towel, to dry yourself."

"Give it here," she snapped.

"No please, let me just-" Without thinking he grabbed her, thinking it was her shoulder, but when he heard her gasp he looked up and was horrified to see that it wasn't her shoulder he was squeezing, but her right breast.

Sokka let go. "I...th- that was an accident."

Immediately the girl pulled away and pushed him on the floor. "I'm so outta here," she growled, rising to her feet.

"B- But wait," Sokka pleaded, "let me-"

"Don't come near me!" She shouted, raising her hand at him. "You've done quite enough." With that she marched out the bar, leaving the very few customers remaining to stare at Sokka in both shock and disgust.

Sokka remained silent as he went in the back to get the broom and dust pan. When he came back out Haru was right there waiting for him.

"What's wrong with you, Sokka? You know you can't just grab a woman's chest without getting her permission first."

Sokka glared at him. "Don't you think I know that? It was an accident." He angrily started sweeping up the broken glass.

"You better hope she doesn't sue you."

Sokka froze for a second. I didn't think about that, he thought, Great.

"Man Sokka, that's gotta be in the book of world records; how to make a girl like you, then hate you in less than twenty seconds."

"Shut up."

Haru patted his friend's shoulder for comfort. "Hey, don't worry Sokka, I'm sure this will blow over soon. At least we only got two more hours til closing."

This didn't cheer Sokka up, but he faked a smile for his friend none the less. I really am a idiot, he thought as he looked over at the now empty table where the mysterious girl had sat. He sighed.

She didn't even tell me her name...

(***)

Sokka woke up the next morning still feeling exhausted. Working two jobs like this was really beginning to take it's toll. But he had no choice, and it was worth it so long as his father can get the treatment he needs. After lounging in bed for another hour, Sokka finally forced himself up and hopped into the shower to get ready for his other job. While in the shower, Sokka, for some odd reason couldn't get the girl from the bar out of his head. Who was she anyway? And why did he have to make such a complete fool of himself in front of her?

He didn't have time to wallow in his embarrassment when his cellphone started ringing. He immediately rushed out the shower, wrapped a towel around himself, and smiled once he saw who was calling him.

"Hey Dad, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine, son," Hakoda answered, "how about you? You sound tired."

Sokka yawned. "Yeah, I am a little bit. I didn't get home until two thirty in the morning."

"Another late night?"

"Yeah."

A moment of silence stretched between them before Hakoda spoke. "Sokka, I think you're working yourself too hard."

Sokka sighed. "Dad, you know I need that second job to help pay for your treatments."

He sighed. "I know. I just hate the thought of you burning yourself out because of me."

"I'm not burning myself out," Sokka defended, "I'm happy to help." He looked at his clock. "Speaking of which, can I call you later, Dad? I have to get ready for work."

"Sokka wait, I need you to listen to me. I actually called you for a reason. You see I -"

"Dad I really have to go before I'm late," he cut off, "can I call you back during my lunch hour?"

He heard his dad sigh over the phone. "Alright Sokka, but be sure to call me, okay. I have something really important I need to talk to you about."

"Sure thing Dad. Bye."

"Bye."

Once he hung up his cellphone Sokka got dressed into his usual buttoned down shirt, slacks, and dress shoes before he left his apartment and made his way to work in his grandmother's thirty year old mustang. Though he was working part-time as a bartender at night, Sokka worked full time as an accountant at Beifong Industries. It's one of the oldest, most successful businesses in the Earth Kingdom, and one of the many businesses owned by Lao Beifong. Sokka never met the guy, but like any newcomer he's heard plenty of rumors.

"You're late, Sokka," said Mai, as he entered the fifth floor. Mai was one of the head executives of the company.

Sokka frowned. "Only by a minute."

"Five, acutally. What happened? Did your car break down on you again?" She said in an uninterested tone.

Sokka's frown deepened. He hated the people he worked with, they were all a bunch of spoiled rich kids who only got their jobs because of their big shot fathers. "No, but thank you so much for your concern, Mai," He deadpanned.

"Hello Mai, hey Sokka."

Sokka rolled his eyes. Great, Ty Lee, He thought sarcastically. Ty Lee was probably the worst of the two. She flirted with him and every other guy in the office nonstop and always went on about wanting to get married to a filthy rich guy so she can quit her job.

"Hi, Ty Lee," he said a little too fast, "as much as I'd love to gossip with you and Mai, I gotta go." Before she could voice a response Sokka hauled ass from them, making his way to his office with the other accountants.

He smiled when he saw his friend and co-worker. "Sorry I'm late, Teo. Traffic." Sokka liked Teo, unlike the majority of the people who worked there, he got his job because of his hard work and not his father.

Teo looked up from his computer and smiled at him. "No sweat Sokka, it was only like five minutes." His smile faded. "Now that you're hear though, I have to ask, what did you do?"

Sokka looked at him, perplexed. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "I just got a call from the president, he said he wants to see you in his office right away."

Sokka's eyes widened in both shock and confusion. "Lao Beifong wants to see me? But why? I haven't done anything."

"I don't know, he just told me to send you to his office as soon as you come in," he replied, meeting his eyes with his.

Sokka knew that look, and he knew what to expect. Nobody get's sent to Lao Beifong's office unless...-

"You better go," Teo suggested, ripping Sokka out of his thoughts.

"Right." And with that he was out the door, making his way down the busy hallway, ignoring the looks he got from Mai and Ty Lee as he disappeared inside the elevator.

The ride to the top floor was a long one, and it seemed longer as Sokka racked his brain for any thing he did wrong in the nine months he's been working there. No one ever saw Lao Beifong, no one ever get's sent to his office, unless they're getting fired. But how could he get fired when he didn't do anything wrong? Did he find out about my job at the bar? Are we not allowed to have a job like that while working here? His thoughts went to his father. What is he going to do if he does get fired? What will become of his father then? He won't be able to get his treatment, and he definitely won't be able to pay off his student loans...-

"Can I help you?" Asked a middle aged woman as he walked out of the elevator. She was sitting behind a desk outside a door with a flying boar symbol on it. Lao's secertary no doutbt.

When did I step out of the elevator?

"Um, excuse me."

When did the elevator even stop?

"Excuse me," she said, raising her voice a little, "can I help you?"

Sokka snapped to attention. "Huh?"

"Can I help you?" She repeated.

Sokka cleared his throat. "Um, yes. L- Lao Beifong wanted to see me."

"What's your name, hun?"

"Sokka."

She looked in her schedule and smiled. "Ah yes," she said cheerfully, " 's expecting you." She stood up and gestured him to follow her. "Right this way."

Sokka followed the lady inside Lao Beifong's office, his eyes bulged as soon as he walked through the doors. His whole apartment could fit inside this room alone. It had a view of the whole city through the wide window behind an empty desk. Everything was decorated in old Earth Kingdom decor, he even had a water fountain, with little koi fish swimming around in it.

"Mr. Beifong will be with you shortly," said his secretary before leaving him in the office alone.

Sokka used the time he had to look around the luxourious office. He gazed at the portraits of all the Beifong men down the family line, all leading down to the current patriarch, Lao. It wasn't just a portait of him, but there was a woman standing beside him, his wife he assumed, and as he looked down he noticed a little girl standing between them in the picture too...-

"I can't believe my eyes."

Sokka turned around and was surprised to be standing face to face with the man in the portrait. He stood an inch or two shorter than Sokka, the hair on both his head and face was perfectly groomed. Like most business men he wore a suit, a really nice suit if he'd say so himself. Yes, Lao Beifong looked just like Sokka imagined he would, he just hoped he wasn't anything like the rumors he heard.

Sokka smiled as he held out his hand to him. "Hello Sir, I'm-"

"Sokka Tikaani," he interrupted while taking his hand and shaking it firmly. "I could tell who you are just by looking at you. Why you're the spitting image of Hakoda."

Sokka's face fell. "Hakoda? ...You know my father?"

Lao smiled. "Of course I know him. Why he's an old friend of mine."

Sokka's eyes shifted. "Dad never told me."

"Well, I'm not surprised, it's been quite a while since we last seen each other. Why, you weren't even knee high to a grass hopper," he laughed before placing his hand on his forehead. "Where are my manners?" He bowed his head a little before going over to stand behind his desk. "I'm Lao Beifong, the president, CEO, and chairman of Beifong Industries, nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Sokka replied, returning the bow. "So...you wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, I do. But before we get into that, we must wait for our other guest."

Confusion struck Sokka's face. "Other guest?"

He heard the door behind him open, as well as a pair of high heeled shoes coming in they're direction. Out of curiosity, Sokka turned around, but froze instantly. His breath got caught in his throat, his blood ran cold, and he felt as if his heart fell down into the pit of his stomach. It was her! The girl from the bar. She was standing directly in front of him, wearing a jeweled emerald dress suit, with matching color heels, and her hair pulled back into a low bun, with a flower pin securing it. Her makeup was toned down from last night, and she stood without her cane as well.

"Sokka, I'd like to introduce you to my beautiful daughter, Toph," Lao said proudly.

Sokka felt sick to his stomach. Daughter? Daughter?! You mean I spilled red wine all over Lao Beifong's daughter! Oh man, I'm getting sued for sure. He turned so he was facing Toph. "I'm really-"

"Hi," she talked over him, "How do you do? I'm Toph Beifong." She bowed respectfully. "It's so nice to finally meet you." She used emphasis on her words to persuade him to keep his mouth shut about last night. It worked.

"Uh, y- yeah, nice to meet you." Sokka gave her a perplexed look, though it was wasted on her, then turned to face Lao. "Um, I'm sorry, what's going on?"

Lao smiled. "Why don't you have a seat , there are some things I'd like to discuss with you, and it may take a while."

Sokka obeyed as he joined Toph on a couch in the far right of the office while Lao paged his seceretary and asked her to bring them all some tea. Within a few minutes Sokka was drinking tea with them, though that didn't stop his mind from racing. What in the world is going on here? Unable to stand it anymore, he turned his attention to Lao. "Are you firing me?"

Lao chuckled. "Fired? What would give you an idea like that?"

He shrugged. "Well, for one thing you sent me to your office. No one ever get's called into your office unless they're getting fired, right?"

"Ah." Lao placed his cup on his desk. "Is that what my many employees tell you?"

"Yeah, that and a bunch of other stuff too, but I just chalk them off as rumors."

"So you don't believe them?"

"Well, not exactly. But as a foreigner I can't help but be curious, I guess."

Lao rose to his feet. "No , you're not fired. In fact, I called you up here for a somewhat personal matter, concerning your family." He looked Sokka in the eye. "I want to take over your family's financial troubles."

Sokka choked on his tea. "What?" He asked in between coughing.

"I told you, Hakoda is an old friend of mine, and you can imagine how saddened I was to hear of his current health problems." His face softened. "In fact, I recently connected with your father, and he told me about you and your sister, but mostly how you've selflessly taken on the task of getting a second job just to try and save up enough money to get him the treatment he needs. Those are admirable qualities son, and such qualities should be rewarded."

"But... , I can't let you- I mean, I can't ask you to do that."

Lao raised his hand to silence him. "I'm more than happy to do it."

Sokka was speechless. "But I don't get it, why? Why do this for my family?"

Lao sat back down in his chair. "You see , you don't know this, but I owe a lot to your father, I owe him my life, really." He leaned back a little in his chair. "I told you Hakoda and I were old friends, and it's true. I met your father about twenty years ago. I had just gotten married at the time but had to travel down to the South Pole for some last minute business. Me and my fellow partners were scouting different areas and somehow I got seperated from them. Of course by that time a terrible storm was coming and I had absolutely no way of protecting myself. After hours had gone by, after screaming, and shouting, I was so sure I was going to die out there, and I would have if your father hadn't shown up. He carried me on his back and brought me to his home, and took care of me until I was better and contacted my men for me."

He smiled fondly at the memory. "Your father saved my life, Sokka. If it wasn't for him I never would have returned home to my wife, and I would never have had my beautiful daughter."

"Dad," Toph groaned.

"Anyway, as I was saying," he continued, "I owe a lot to your father Sokka, that is why I want to repay him by taking care of all your family's debt. It's the least I can do."

A warm smile spread across Sokka's face. To say he was touched was an understatement. Why his father never told him any of this was beyond him. He nodded. "I don't know what to say. Thank you, ," he said, "and don't worry, I promise I'll pay you back even if it takes the rest of my life."

Lao shook his head. "That won't be neccessary."

"But I can't just let you take care of my family's debt without paying you back, it doesn't seem right."

"Like I said, I'm happy to do it," Lao smiled, "but under one condition." He gestured to Toph. "I want you to marry my daughter."

"What?" Sokka's jaw dropped before he turned to look at Toph. "Me? M- Marry your daughter? B- B- But Mr. Beifong, we just met, we don't even know each other."

"But I know you, and from everything your father has told me you'd make an excellent husband for Toph."

Sokka couldn't stop the red that colored his cheeks. "But I-"

"Dad," Toph blurted, "may Sokka and I have a moment alone? I'd like to have at least one private conversation with him before we're married."

Lao smiled. "Of course dear. I need to make a phone call anyway. I'll be back."

Once they were alone Sokka gulped when he saw Toph glare at him, but relaxed when she let out an exhausted sigh and pinched the bridge between her eyebrows. "Now that we're alone, let's talk," she said, softening her tone. "My dad shouldn't have bombarded you like this, and for that I'm sorry. He can be a real pain in the neck sometimes."

"So you can talk him out of this whole getting married thing, right?" Sokka asked. "I mean, this is crazy, we're complete strangers, and your father thinks we should get married."

"I agree," she sighed. "For some reason my dad believes the only way to repay your father for saving his life is to have me marry you. The whole situation is beyond ridiculous." Her face turned serious. "However, after giving the matter some thought, and after our brief...meeting last night, I realized I have two choices. I could either A: refuse to marry you and have my father force me into another arranged marriage with a man I know I'll hate, or I could B: agree to my father that I will marry you."

Sokka opened his mouth, but couldn't get anything to come out. "Bu- But...you don't understand." He blushed, while gluing his eyes to his shoes. "Marriage is something two people do when they're in love."

Toph crossed her arms. "Well, not in the world of the rich and powerful apparently," she replied before her face softened at him. "Listen, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. You do have a choice too, you know. You could either A: agree to marry me and have your family financially taken care of, or you could B: turn down my dad's offer and continue to handle your family's situation on your own." A sad look fell upon her face. "If I can be honest, even with your job here and the one you've taken at the bar, is that still going to be enough to pay for dad's treatment? And what about you? Your father said you were still paying off student loans, right?"

Sokka listened to Toph's words with a heavy heart. She was right. His father needed to undergo treatment now, yet he still only had half the money saved up. And what about next month when he'll need treatment again, or when he needs to pay off students loans, not to mention his rent, electricity, and everything else he needs money for. He slumped on the couch as if the weight of the world was literally on his shoulders. He howled in pain as Toph punched him hard on his arm.

"What the hell was that for?" He demanded.

She shrugged. "You were being so quiet, I was just making sure you were alive."

He glared at her. "Well, I can assure you I'm alive and well." A long sigh escaped his lips. "Alright, I'll do it."

Toph raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Before he could answer Lao came back into the room, in which Sokka stood up to face him. "Mr. Beifong, I'll do it." He took Toph's hand in his. "I will marry your daughter."

A/N: First of all, I want to say I'm still alive. Second, I am so sorry I have taken forever to write anything, real life keeps me busy nonstop. Just a quick note, I was inspired to write this story after reading the manga series Happy Marriage?! Which is a really good series by the way if you're looking for some great manga to read. How long will it take to update the next chapter? Well, I honestly can't make promises, but know I will try to post the next chapter as soon as I can. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy the first chapter, the next one will feature Sokka and Toph adjusting to married life together. Happy reading everyone, until next time :)

Free-Spirited Dreamer

BTW: The surname I gave Sokka, Tikaani, that is an Inuit name that literally means "wolf," just to let you know.