Again thank you for reading. I really hope that you have liked it. I did enjoy writing it. If you are reading this part then that means that you want the story to have a clear happy ending. I felt I had to write this part so that the other characters had a little bit of an ending to. I also wanted to try and link this story in with the Korra story as much as I could.
I would ask that you would please listen to snow patrol- give me strength. I think it fits really well from Aang's point of view. Summing up a nice family, friend ending. You will have to listen to it twice, at least I did when I was testing it. Please I think it adds to it.
The ground shock as the flying bison landed a little way off from the main building of the temple. In quick suggestion four people landed on the ground two of whom were carrying another very small person in their arms. This and the chatter that came from this group woke Toph up. With a slightly contented sigh she used the tree that she had been dozing against to help push her onto her feet. With small careful steps she walked to the main entrance of the temple to meet her friends.
It was the two yelling sons of Sokka and Suki that meet her first. They caught sight of her not long after jumping with the help of their parents on to the ground and ran right towards her. They reached her with such force she was almost knocked over. They had really grown since the last time she saw them. They used to only be able to hug her if she was standing up around her legs. Now their arms wrapped around her waist.
"Hey guys."
What followed was a burst of words spoken at the same time. She tried at first to make out what they were saying, but soon gave up. A few words made it through. Mainly about earth and water bending and flying on Appa. She was used to it now, but could still not understand what other people saw in flying. She did love the giant fur ball though.
"Hey, give her some air." Suki's voice cut through the chatter. It was a stern tone that Toph hoped she would be able to learn. Something told her that she would need it. "Why don't you take your cousin's in to see uncle Aang and the birthday girl."
A little resultantly but still eagerly they let go of Toph and walked over to their parents and other aunt and uncle. Zuko who was holding Kya's hand and Iroh who toddled along next to his mother. Holding onto her dress to help him walk. In a few seconds the four children had joined hands in a chain and were making their way towards the air temple.
Zuko was the first adult to reach her, pulling her into a hug. With a quick kiss on the check he pulled away. Katara followed next, then Sokka. Suki was last and as she hugged her friend she noticed a change in her. There was slight blush in her cheeks that she didn't normally have.
"Are you feeling ok." She asked quietly before pulling away.
The corners of the earthbenders lips turned upwards, the smile that was starting to creep across her face spread up to her eyes. "Yeah. I'm fine." Her tone and the smile she was fighting to hold back let the warrior know what was going on. She was just able to hold herself back from breaking into a smile herself. Katara had remained with the other girls as their husbands made their way to the temple. She didn't take as long as her sister in law to know what was going on. She however was not able to hold back her smile.
Once the girls entered the temple they were greeted with the sight on the avatar kneeling down his one year old balanced on his knee as the other four children of the family surrounding her. Kya seemed to be the most interested in the one year old. Clearly feeling a bond with the only other female in her generation of the family. They were defiantly going to be lifelong friends. The three boys would clearly be their protectors. Iroh was holding onto his sister dress. It was not clear whether it was to help himself stand up or help her. The other two stood a few inches taller than their cousins, looking over them from just behind.
Zuko and Sokka were standing like their son's just behind Aang. They were trying to get a clear look at Tama, without making it to obvious. The look of pride of Aang's face was so strong that Katara and Suki both thought almost the same thing. Maybe three was the right number of children. Once he noticed them he stood up and walked over to meet them. During all of the hugging Tama was passed around, her face lighting up at all of the attention.
With all of the hugs and greetings exchanged things took on a calmer tone. The table in the corner of the room had been almost covered with trays of food. Some people had very large appetites. Aang stood a little to the side standing in the doorway. He watched as Toph tried to keep hold of a fidgeting Tama. Sokka balancing a plate piled high with food that he passed down to his sons. Who had set up a kind of game of passing a ball back and forth between them and their cousin Iroh. Kya was sitting on her father's lap. She was clearly a daddy's girl. It felt at times that Tama might be the same. Not that he would ever say that to Toph. Not out of fear that she would be hurt, but out of fear that she would have more reason to tease him about, Tama having him wrapped around her finger. Suki and Katara were talking a little off from Toph, but she was clearly still a part of the conversation.
A little later Zuko was able to let Kya go and play with the other children. Toph had also now placed Tama on the ground with the others. Not being able to keep a hold on the fidgeting child any more. The fire lord made his way over to the avatar. A conversation about their big idea began. Both trying to not let themselves get too carried away with the planning.
"Do you think she will agree." Zuko asked. "She's not the biggest fan of rules and law."
Aang let out a little laugh. "Right, but she does like telling people what to do."
Zuko know laughed a little. "That is true."
"What is true."
Turning to look in-front of them they saw the earthebender in question standing a few feet in-front of them with her arms crossed. Still with a smile on his face Zuko pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against. As he passed Toph he bent down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. As he pulled away he gave her a knowing look that he knew she would not see. He know though that she was perceptive enough to know that she could tell what he was trying to say.
"So"
Again she did not get an answer. With a small sigh she took up the spot leaning on the wall that Zuko had just left. "Was it about your big idea."
"So now it's a big idea."
"What else would you call building your own major city."
"You called it stupid." He put on a mock hurt tone. She just laughed. "It's not important now." While he spoke he looked ahead at is one year old being fussed over by the rest of their family. While she could see what was going on in-front of them with her eyes, but she could see it in her own way.
"Yes it is." She wasn't facing him when she spoke, but he knew that she was being sincere. Only half looking at her, he reached out and took hold of her hand. Which was not essay as she had them crossed over her chest. "Katara and I have been talking. We know its important but we don't like the idea of you two abandoning your family's…"
"We won't…"
"That is why we have a project of our own."
"Project."
She nodded. "I have to make you of my father's house some way." She now turned to face him. "It is important for us to leave something behind for our children."
With that she leaned in kissing him quickly before letting his hand go and walking back over to the group. It was then as he watched her leave that her words hit him. She meant him and her when she said us, he was sure. She had also said children, plural. Not child singular. "Children." He repeated in a slight panicked and excited tone. She turned head towards offering a sly smile. Pushing of the wall in one fluid motion he quickly reached her wrapping his arms around her waist. Placing her hands over his she lead him to the rest of the family to tell them the good news.
A few seconds later the hugging and quick kisses on check began again. The children not sure what was going on, but not wanting to be left out began to tug at their parents clothes to be lifted up or for them to come down to their level. The family talked and simply just enjoyed spending time with each other. Life had pulled them in different directions. Ones that they never would have expected. Through it all though they had always found a way back to each other. Together they had changed the world, saved it in fact. Done the impossible.
With all of that they had come to realise what was really important in life. People. The connections we make. That was what life was about. It was what they took such joy in now. The connection they had with each other. The new one that was going to come in a few months. The connections that their children would have. That was their real legacy. They could not think of a better one.
Thanks again. I hope that you liked it. I really didn't know how to end it. I wanted to have a fitting ending, but not a full stop. I hope it worked ok. I didn't want it to be to mushy. On the next chapter I have the information about the extra I have been working on. I really hope that you will check it out.
