A/N: Hi friends, sorry this took so long to update. Apparently being on vacation means that I have less time on my hands instead of more. Anyway, I hope you didn't miss the story too much but I had a fabulous time in LA and got to tour the set of Friends so that's pretty awesome. This chapter is exceptionally fluffy but I'm really excited about it and I hope you are too (I made it extra long to make up for not writing). Without further ado, here's the next chapter – please review because it makes me update faster and gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

CHAPTER 6: WHEN YOU WONDER ABOUT OUR FUTURE

Aang slowly pushed his way through the crowd, trying to smile at everyone who surrounded him. At this point, he was used to being jostled about and didn't think anything of it. After all, it was really amazing to see how many people were there to see him – excited about the end of the war and even more excited to meet the last airbender. Aang slowly led the procession, Zuko at his side, as they continued on the path towards the village shrine.

All of a sudden, Aang felt a slight tug on his elbow. His instincts got the better of him and he turned around quickly, hands at the ready, expecting to confront an attacker. What he saw instead made him shake his head, laughing at himself for being worried. It was an old peasant woman holding a young baby. The woman bowed to Aang and he bowed back, as was customary when meeting an elder.

"Avatar Aang," began the woman. "This is my very first grandchild. She was born several days after the war ended and is one of the first children born during your new era of peace. We have held off naming her in the hopes that you would visit our village and bless her with a name of your choice. Now that you are here, I know it is fate. Please, Avatar, would you do us the honor?"

Aang stepped back, blinking in surprise. He didn't know what to say. Although he'd helped Katara with the birth on the way into Ba Sing Se, he'd never expected to be asked to name a baby.

Hesitantly, he looked at the woman. "Can I…hold her?"

The woman nodded and carefully placed the baby in Aang's arms. Wondering at how tiny she was, Aang gently held the baby in his arms and hummed to it. The baby smiled toothlessly at him and playfully grabbed at Aang's finger, gurgling with happiness when Aang let her hold it.

I wonder what it'll be like to have my own kid… Images of himself and Katara sprang unbidden in Aang's mind. He saw himself, a proud father, holding their first child… he imagined Katara teaching their daughter how to waterbend while he taught their son to airbend. He saw Katara singing their children to sleep as he, too, listened and played with her hair…

"Ouch!" The baby, trying unsuccessfully to chew on Aang's finger, tore him from his reverie. Even without teeth, it managed to hurt a little.

Aang looked around and saw the woman, and the rest of the crowd, looking expectantly at him. Blushing a little for daydreaming, he smiled at them and said formally, "I would be honored to name this child. Give me a few moments to think of an appropriate name with which to honor this new life."

Aang looked at the baby. Big brown eyes sparkled at him and he knew at once that the baby would have a playful, energetic spirit. I want to give her a strong name, something that will help her be her own person… maybe something to do with the new peace, or maybe the spirit of collaboration…hmm… Closing his eyes for a moment to deliberate, Aang thought for a bit before making up his mind.

"Her name is Masuyo," he announced. "I've named her so in celebration of the new peace we have created and in the hope that she will grow to contribute to our new world."

"Thank you, Avatar," the old woman said, smiling as she took Masuyo back into her arms. "Our family will raise this child in the spirit of your words."

Aang bowed slightly, giving the child a last look, wondering what she would grow up to be like.

Two hours later, Aang plopped onto the bed that had been prepared for him. He couldn't stop thinking about the child and with it came thoughts of his imaginings from earlier. It was so nice to imagine his future with Katara...now that he thought about it he knew he could never see his life without her in it. I wonder if Katara feels the same way…

So thinking, Aang pulled out Katara's letters and started looking through them for one that might help him out. He kept flipping and nothing seemed to fit the bill until he came to the last one. "Open: When You Wonder About Our Future." Settling down, Aang began to read.

Dear Aang,

I sincerely hope you end up opening this one because it'd be pretty embarrassing if I were sitting here, thinking about this (and writing this) and you didn't think about it at all ever. But then again, if you're reading this, we probably were imagining similar things so that's a relief.

The future. Wow. It seems so close and yet far away and so intimidating. Don't you think? What do you see when you imagine the future? Who do you see yourself with? What do you imagine you'll be doing? Do you think you'll have kids?

It's a little scary to admit that I think about this kind of stuff but I want you to know that when I imagine my future, I see you in it. It's been a few years since Sokka and I first discovered you in that iceberg but ever since that day, my life has had a new direction. Whether I realized it or not back then, my life became intertwined with yours.

I think part of the reason why admitting this to myself is so scary is because I'm afraid you don't feel the same way, or that your feelings aren't as strong as mine. Even though my heart tells me that you feel about me the same as I feel about you, my brain keeps telling me that there's no way someone like you would tie yourself to me for the rest of your life…but I digress.

I'm going to admit something really embarrassing but please promise me you won't laugh. …Sometimes, when I see young couples walking around with babies, I like to imagine that it will be like that for us in a few years. I imagine us raising a family – you as the sexy father, keeping the kids out of trouble, saving the world, maintaining the peace, etc. and me as the loving mother, singing to our children, keeping our household going, and working in the local hospital as a master healer. I imagine you teaching our baby airbenders as I teach our baby waterbenders.

Aang, have you ever imagined it like I have? It's such a lovely picture and I can't dwell on it too much because it makes me long for it more than anything. I'm crazy about you, Aang, and I don't see that changing – ever.

I know we're still really young and that there's a lot that we don't need to worry about for a while. But… there's no harm in imagining, right? I know we can deal with everything as it comes to us but I want you to know that I see myself with you and that I can't wait for everything that's yet to come.

Everything has its time and we shouldn't rush anything for the sake of rushing it. But if you're like me and have wondered where I picture our relationship going, well, that's pretty much it. I think I've laid it out as clearly as I can.

Also, this is really hard to say, but if you don't feel the same way, please, please, please let me know because I don't want to lead myself on if it's not there.

Anyway, that's about it. I miss you so much Aang. I hope your tour is going well and that you come home safe to me.

Love from,

Katara

Aang sat there, stunned, as he contemplated what he just read. Katara feels the same way… I-I can't believe it. The letter was a confirmation of everything Aang had ever wanted to hear from the girl who had captured his heart. He couldn't wait to finish the tour and get back to her because now, more than ever, he missed her.

Thinking about the happiness that her confirmation had given him, Aang decided to write to Katara. She should get to be as happy as I am now…I want her to know…

A few days later…

Katara grabbed the letter from the hawk and ripped it open, anxious to read what Aang had written to her. It'd already been about a week since she'd last heard from him and she was anxious to hear what he'd been up to.

She began to read.

Dear Katara,

I just read your "When You Wonder About Our Future" letter.

Katara almost dropped the letter. She ran her hands through her hair nervously, trying to decide whether or not she wanted to hear Aang's response. Deciding she should just get it over with, she continued reading.

You have no idea how happy it made me to read everything that you wrote. I know we're still young and that it's not wise to speculate too far in advance but I want you to know that I see what you see. I want what you want.

Everything you pictured – I've pictured that and more. I want you in my life Katara. Forever. You inspire me to keep going when I feel like giving up. You're the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing on my mind before I fall asleep. I can't picture my life with anyone else and I can't bear the thought of my life without you. You keep me grounded and help me stay true to myself. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Katara, I want you to keep having all those imaginings because I know I will. I can't say when it'll be but I promise that one day, everything you've imagined, and everything I've imagined, will come true. I'll make it happen. And hopefully sooner rather than later.

Katara, my life with you started that day you rescued me in the iceberg. From then on it's been going in this direction before we even knew it was. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. I still can't believe how lucky I am to have you but you should know I'm thrilled you feel the same way I do. I can't wait to be back with you. I miss you so much Katara. Stay safe for me.

Love from,

Aang

PS: I was asked to name a baby today. That's what got me started thinking about all this stuff but I'm glad because it helped put everything in perspective for me. Oh by the way I named her 'Masuyo.'

PPS: I'm glad you think I'll be a sexy dad because I think I will be too.

PPPS: I guess you can be a sexy mom too.

Katara folded the letter up, tears silently streaming down her face. She pressed the letter to her chest and smiled happily. Aang and I are on the same page. I can't wait for my future…

XXX

A/N: 'Masuyo' is a Japanese name derived from characters with meaning "benefit" and "world."

asiastana: the next chapter will be inspired by you so keep an eye out!