So I decided to go swimming yesterday evening and the water was cold and I was not able to get warm so now it seems that I'm sick. Great. The only good news is that I can catch up on all the stories that I haven't updated in what… years? Well either way, enjoy! Oh and to the reviewer who said that they probably had a kid. Here's a cookie *Gives reviewer a cookie*
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 2: Honesty
Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most
Katara did not take his hand but she did follow him to his car. It was expensive, that she could tell. The doors opened up and it was black, with slick silver stripes.
He opened the door for her, just like he used to, and Katara sat carefully in the passenger's seat.
Once Zuko had walked around the car and gotten into the driver's side, that's when Katara spoke.
"Did your daddy give you this car as another bribe?" She asked icily.
He didn't respond and Katara looked out the window as he started the car and they started driving.
"I'm sorry, I really am… about everything." He confessed. For a moment, Katara was shocked. Zuko was admitting he made a mistake, and that never happened.
"How's Angel?" He asked when Katara didn't respond.
"You would know if you had stuck around when I was pregnant!" Katara spat suddenly.
Zuko glanced away from the road and at her for a brief second before focusing on the road again.
"Same old, Zuko. Life is just about having fun and getting to the top with you! You care about yourself and only yourself!" Katara screamed at him.
Zuko's hands on the wheel tightened and he pulled the car over so fast that the tires screeched in protest. He turned to her, but he was not angry, but his tone was soft and sweet, like he was talking to a small child
"My dad was running for President, Katara! If news got out that his picture perfect teenage son, with a tragic story-" Zuko absentmindedly touched his hand to the circular scar over his eye. "Had gone and gotten an Alaskan girl pregnant and they wanted to keep it, he would have been ruined." Zuko explained.
"So your father bought you a mansion, a really expensive car, paid for the college of your dreams, and put a million dollars in your bank account so that you would forget about me. I know how the story goes, Zuko." Katara angrily retorted.
Zuko shook his head in exasperation. "I loved you, Katara, and it was the hardest thing in the World to leave you and our baby."
"Bullshit! It was easy for you to leave me. You had everything you ever wanted waiting for you. And no, Zuko. No, not our baby, my baby. My baby, Zuko! You didn't take care of her; you don't love her like I do! You're her biological father, but you are NOT her parent." Katara screamed.
"How DARE you tell me what I love and what I don't love. I love that baby, Katara, and I love you." He yelled right back at her and his strong words shocked her into silence.
"If you loved me, you wouldn't have walked away from me four years ago. You wouldn't have ignored my text messages, my phone calls, and my letters for 6 months and then send me a restraining order in the mail. You don't love me, Zuko. Don't say that to me ever again. Please." Katara whispered, and she wrapped her arms around herself as tears started to fall from her eyes again.
Zuko said nothing, he hated confronting emotions and everything that she had said was true.
He started the car again, and after checking for traffic, he started driving.
They rode in utter silence until they reached the hospital. Katara would usually wait for Zuko to open her door, but she was not a teenager anymore, she was strong, and she opened her own day and walked into the hospital, Zuko following a step behind her.
They both waved to the nurse, who knew them as regulars by now, and the couple got on the elevator.
As the elevator slowly travelled upwards, Zuko studied Katara. He could see her better under the bright hospital lights.
She was still just as gorgeous as she was when she was 16 and he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her.
She was petite but definitely had an hour glass figure.
"You're too beautiful, too smart to work at a strip club, Katara." Zuko said honestly.
Katara continued watching the elevator doors, willing them to open, but she looked out of the corner of her eye. "Thank you" She replied woodenly.
Zuko shook his head as the elevator doors opened and the two stepped out and into the children's wing.
They walked until they reached Angel's room and as Zuko reached for the door, it opened, and a nurse jumped, surprised to see them.
"She's been asking about you two. Go on in." The nurse smiled.
Katara and Zuko whispered thanks and walked into their daughter's hospital room.
She was beautiful, she had tan skin, but one of her eyes was ocean blue, and the other a sparkling gold. Her silky black hair was cut into a pixie cut, and her parents could tell that some more of it had fallen out due to the cancer.
Even more bruises had blossomed delicately on her skin but there was a smile on her face.
Leukemia was an unfair disease.
After Angel had fallen asleep, Zuko and Katara, both exhausted, walked down the hall and into the elevator.
They were the only two occupants of the elevator, and to prevent himself from crying, Zuko pressed a hand over his eyes and squeezed his temples.
"She's dying." He whispered honestly.
"Don't say that! She's strong, she'll be fine." Katara chirped happily.
"Katara, you have to be prepared if she-."
"Actually, unlike you, Zuko, I refuse to give up on something I believe in. And I believe in Angel." Katara said stubbornly and Zuko shook his head.
"Katara, all dreams fade to reality. And if you're still sleeping, who's going to be there to wake you up?" Zuko responded quietly.
Katara squinted her eyes, tried to understand, and then she burst into laughter.
"You were always awful with metaphors, and that was a bad one!" Katara explained through giggles.
Zuko chuckled too, and shoved his hands into his pockets, embarrassed. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice." He shrugged and Katara shook her head, a genuine smile gracing her lips.
"Katara, can I ask a question?" Zuko asked as the elevator doors pinged open.
Katara nodded.
"Did you become a stripper to take care of Angel?" Zuko asked and Katara smiled.
"Of course! My dream was to become a veterinarian, but that requires college and I didn't have the money for that, and having a baby at 16 didn't give me many career options. I had to pay for all those diapers somehow. Dad died and Sokka and my whole family disowned me. I got checks from you every month, but they weren't enough to pay for my bills." Katara replied honestly as they walked to Zuko's car.
Guilt gnawed at Zuko and he wanted to say something, anything, but no words seemed appropriate.
Instead, he grabbed her toned arm and pulled her to him.
She started to protest but his strong, large arms found its old home around her waist and her arms instantly wrapped around his midsection in response. Her head came up to the bottom of his chest.
Without saying a word, he leaned down and captured her full pink lips with his.
Fireworks exploded in their brains and he pulled her closer to him.
There was a full moon out and the former lovers kissed with all their might under the stars and the glow of the hospital sign.
A/N: As you guys can see, their relationship is complicated, like beyond complicated. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Review politely! The next chapter will contain LOTS of drama, so enjoy that!