Several Years Later
Three days of snow buried the young metropolis of Republic City in a blanket of snow, essentially shutting down the city for days. Katara and Aang gladly fixed a spare room for Sokka and Suki who had only planned to visit for the afternoon, but ended up staying for several nights. Aang didn't mind, he enjoyed the company – it made him nostalgic, thinking back to their countless adventures.
The fireplace roared, as the children wreaked havoc on the living area. The adults watched the older kids gang up on three-year-old Tenzin, Aang and Katara's youngest.
"C'mon, guys, leave Tenzin alone." Sokka tried to corral one of his own, but to no avail.
"It's okay, Sokka," Katara said, braiding Kya's hair, "His dad will rescue him."
She looked over to Aang who stood up and began to make his way over to the children.
"You better hurry," Suki joked, "I think he's getting angry…"
"Stop it, Bumi! It's not funny, anymore…" Anger began to build up inside the boy, "Leave. Me. Alone!" Baby Tenzin's yelled, clenching his fists and violently throwing his arms out to shove his older brother.
Bumi dodged his little brother's attack, but could not elude the vicious gust of wind that caught him flush, sending him careening into the wall across the room.
Silence fell over the room. Sokka and Suki shared a shocked glance before quickly turning their attention to Katara, then Aang. Speechless, Katara looked at her husband in amazement. She watched as he fell back into his chair and just stared at his child. He looked to Katara, a tear rolling down his cheek, and just smiled. She walked over and rested in his lap. They looked to each other and laughed before she hugged him hard; he buried his head in her neck, his emotions somewhere between relief and elation. Katara could feel the stress, anxiety, and pressure that had been building up for so many years instantly disappear. His tension melted away.
Sokka and Suki, both holding back tears of their own, waited an appropriate amount of time before embracing their family.
"C'mon," Aang finally said, "We need to commemorate this moment with one of those photos."
Suki offered to take the snapshot, and waited as Aang and Katara readied their family. Katara straightened Kya's dress; Aang picked Bumi up to his feet and ran a hand through his disheveled hair, laughing at the fight his eldest put up. Sokka scooped up baby Tenzin and handed him over to his father as Aang and Bumi found their places next to Katara and Kya.
"Okay…ready?" Suki asked, staring through the new technology.
"Ready!" Bumi and Kaya yelled.
"On three. One…Two…Three"
Snap.
A small light flashed as, almost immediately, the picture was discharged from the camera.
"Aunt Suki, let me see first!" Bumi ran over, followed quickly by Kya.
Aang placed Tenzin on the floor and watched him run after his brother and sister. Three beautiful children. What more could a man ask for, he thought before turning his gaze to Katara.
"What?" She asked, returning his gaze.
He stared into her deep, blue eyes, just as he had when she pulled him from the iceberg, "Thank you for going penguin sledding with me."
Her jaw tightened as she unsuccessfully fought back a flood of tears before gripping Aang's neck, pulling him close, and kissing him hard on the lips. Breathless, she looked up to her best friend, her husband, meeting his gray eyes, "Always."