So much had changed over the years. Some things for the worse but most things were for the better. Sokka liked to remind himself of this especially when he was experiencing stressful situations, and man, had things been difficult lately. Although the movement toward peace between the four nations had made much progress through the years that did not mean that things were perfect. Sokka had been assisting Zuko, Aang, and his sister since the end of the war to help develop and strengthen peace, yet it was starting to wear on the now twenty year old. He had been visiting Earth Kingdom lands that had been under the Fire Nation's rule for years along with his wife for the past year. They did this to regain order within the towns and spread word of a new beginning, but some places tended to be more agreeable than others.

Sokka could have kissed Zuko when he granted his friend a week off. The water tribe native desperately needed some relaxation and just some time together with Suki…and their baby girl. Suki had been stationed to help protect the new Fire Lord along with a few other Kyoshi warriors for past few years, so distance was no longer an issue between the husband and wife. Suki was not on patrol as often as she used to be, acting first now as a mother to their one-year-old baby. She was still experiencing some stress, though. She was solely taking care of Atka while Sokka was busy in meetings during the day. She desired more time with her husband, although she wasn't complaining.

Sokka did as much as Suki did with taking care of Atka. It was still hard to believe that he was a father. While he was excited for their first baby during Suki's pregnancy, he still had his worries and doubts about himself. But from the first moment he saw Atka, he felt like a new man. And like his own father told him years ago, "Being a man is knowing where you're needed most," became words that Sokka swore he would live by. He would always let Suki sleep whenever their baby would cry in the middle of the night, never letting her even lift her head from off the pillow. At one point Atka became sick, which scared Sokka more than a million Sparky Sparky Boom men combined. He stayed home with Suki to help nurse their baby back to health.

The two decided they would spend part of their time off at their home on Kyoshi Island. The little house had originally belonged to Suki and few of her warrior friends back when they were younger. Now the quaint home was solely only her and Sokka's for whenever they stayed at the girl's village, which was a few times out of the year. The two of them did not mind moving from home to home; in fact, it was a nice feeling knowing that there was a place waiting for them during their busy travels. Sokka had to admit that their Kyoshi house was his favorite. Their hut in the Southern Water Tribe was small and cozy, but he hated to see Suki shiver from the fierce bitterness of the cold. Even though he had spent most of his life thus far in the South Pole, Sokka had a hard time bracing the temperature now. He much preferred the weather in the Fire Nation (who would have ever thought that of him?), having grown an appreciation for warmer weather.

Sokka watched in secret from the porch at his wife and child in the back of the house. Sokka's favorite part about their Kyoshi home was that it built in front of a small cavern that had a small waterfall into a little body of water in the back. The scenery outside took the cake. Suki was dressed in swimwear quite similar to the kind she wore when they visited Ember Island with all of her dark brown hair placed on the top of her head in a flawless bun. Sokka could hear her twinkling laugh from where he stood, making his heart practically flutter just from the sound. His wife carefully had their baby placed on her exposed hip, arms cradling around the little girl, who tiny bun that matched her mother's. Suki was standing in the small pool of crystal clear water, showing Atka the cavern's waterfall. The one year old pointed to it out of curiosity, her tan face scrunched up in confusion up at her mother. Whenever Atka would do this (and it seemed to be often), Suki always told Sokka that their baby carried after him in the facial expressions department. Sokka did not even try to deny it; however, everything else about Atka except for her lush, Water Tribe skin color was the spitting image of Suki. Sokka was lost in the gaze of his girls, smiling like the goof he was at the sight of Suki giving a gentle kiss to Atka's temple. Man, how did I get so lucky? He thought to himself, watching as Atka still gave her mother a puzzled look. Suki walked closer to the waterfall in order to let her baby touch the clear blue liquid, coaxing Atka's pudgy little hand to feel the coolness of it. The baby giggled loudly and grew a happy smile as she felt the water, causing Sokka to grin even more. That was another thing Suki said Atka attributed from her father; his laughter.

Sokka decided then to join his little family, descending from the shadows of the elaborate porch into the light of the beautiful morning. Atka turned her attention to the splashing footsteps from Sokka walking over to them in the pool, smiling brightly and showing off the few teeth she had. She let out an excited noise mixed with a few giggles, causing Suki to turn her head to see what her baby was looking at. She smiled as well at just the sight of her husband, blushing slightly at his lack of clothing. He wore only some white cloth covering his bottom half.

"Well, it looks like somebody finally decided to wake up," Suki teased, turning to face her husband. Atka reached her arms out toward Sokka, kicking her feet as she began to squirm in her mother's arms.

"Yeah, I figured I should grace you with my presence," Sokka teased back, bending down to give his wife a tender peck on the lips. "Good morning, my love," he whispered lovingly against her mouth before giving her another kiss. Atka then began to squirm and fidget with more force in Suki's embrace. She was also making impatient noises to get her father's attention.

"Someone seems to want you," said Suki in what Sokka deemed as her 'motherly voice,' trying to keep a grip on Atka.

Suki handed over their daughter to her husband carefully, who had his arms ready for his baby girl.

"And good morning to you, my little warrior!" Sokka held up his baby, pressing her forehead to his own before giving her a loud, overdramatic smooch on her cheek. The baby laughed merrily and flapped her pudgy arms up and down, causing her parents to light up with joy. "I think it's time to—BABY BEND!"

Suki laughed herself, covering her mouth to control her giggles as Sokka began to spin around Atka securely in his grasps.

"Uncle Aang would be so proud of your baby bending, Atka!" Sokka gave his daughter another loud smooch on her scrunched up face, giggling even harder than before.

The two of them shinned beautifully in the sun, their matching skin tones and overall looks of joy and laughter absolutely glowing. It was moments like these that made everything worth it to the Kyoshi Warrior; all of her training, the war, being locked in prison, the traveling. Growing a family with the man she knew was her other half made all of her past and present struggles worth it.

"I'm sure baby bending takes up a lot of energy, how about we get some breakfast?" Suki said, stepping out from the cool water.

"No need to ask me twice." Sokka readjusted Atka to have her cradled in his strong arms, following behind his wife. "I know there are some mushed up bananas with your name written all over them, Attie. They're all yours, of course. But one day when you're old enough, you'll actually be eating good food...just don't eat Auntie Katara's cooking..."

Suki rolled her eyes lovingly as Sokka went on and on about food with their baby,

grabbing hold of his muscular arm as they made their way into the house.