Title: 'Y' is for Yes

Rating: T

Genre: Romance

World: AU with bending and royalties

Summary:

Disclaimer: Nope still not mine, but not to worry, I'll own it soon or later…. Yeah, probably not.

Follow Up to: Academy, Quarters, and Violin

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"Snoozles, where are you taking me?" I asked.

"To Aang," he said with a small smirk.

"And where is Twinkle Toes taking me?"

"To Katara."

"And where is Sugar Queen taking me?"

"It's a secret."

"Sokka," I growled. I was on the verge of losing my temper, and I hated using my earthbending to injure my friends.

"I would love to tell you but Kat, Zuko, and Yue would kill me."

"Ah so Zuzu's in on it too?" I asked.

"Toph please don't make me tell you. We all want it to be a surprise. Okay?" he said with a soft smile.

"Fine," I sighed.

"Thanks, and I know you hate surprise, but trust me, you'll lik- no you'll love this one."

If he was this happy then I knew I should be too. Ten minutes later we were standing in front of Aang's house.

"Hey Toph," he greeted me with a wave.

"Hi Twinkle Toes," I said trying to sound excited.

"Sorry about this Toph, but your going to have to be literally blind, so you're going to have to ride in the car instead of walking.

"Okay," I sighed.

"No arguments?" he asked shocked.

"Nope."

"Okay then. Sokka, mind calling Katara and Yue and letting them know we're on our way?" Aang asked.

"Whoa… I get the Giggle Twins together?"

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that," Sokka sighed.

"Well we better hurry. Sokka, you driving?"

"No you are."

"What?" Aang asked, shocked and scared.

"Aang, you're eighteen and you drove once since you got your license. That's bad."

"Toph's eighteen and she doesn't drive."

I couldn't help but laugh as Sokka smacked his forehead.

"That's the dumbest remark I've ever heard you say before. That's worse than any of my idiotic comments and that's saying something."

Forty minutes later I was being carried on Sokka's back somewhere or another.

"I'm surprised you didn't put up more of a fight," Aang said for the eighth time.

"Yes, I know, and if you say it again, I will get down from here and pound you into the ground," I snapped.

"Sorry, but look, we're here," he said and seconds later I heard Katara open the door.

"Poor Toph," Yue said from somewhere next to her.

"Bring her to the bed. She won't be able to see there," Katara said shutting the door. From the sound of it, the door was big. Really big, and really heavy. There was only once place that had that type of doors.

"We're in the palace aren't we?" I asked as Sokka plopped me down on the cushiony bed.

"Toph, you weren't supposed to know!" Katara shrieked.

"Sorry Sugar Queen, but I heard the door close."

"So what, now you're memorizing the sounds a door makes when it closes?" Sokka mumbled.

"Watch it Snoozles," I warned with a glare.

"Well I guess you don't have to stay up there then. You can get down," Yue sighed.

"Thanks Moon Girl."

"Must you call me that?" Yue asked her.

"It's either that, Mooney, Luna, or Ice Princess, but you're too sweet for that last one."

"Mooney's better than Moon Girl. You make me sound like some sort of hippy."

"Fine, Mooney it is," I said jumping down from the bed.

"So why are we at the palace?" I asked.

"No, don't tell her that," Katara snapped quickly.

"I wasn't going to," Aang said, his hands up as if surrendering.

"Okay fine. So you aren't going to tell me why we're here. Can't you at least tell me one thing? It was Zuko's idea, wasn't it?" I asked.

"Actually…no," Katara said.

"Then who?" I asked confused.

"Fire Lord Ozai and Fire Lady Ursa," Yue said with a smile.

"Huh?"

"Nope that's all the information you get," Katara said in the perfect motherly tone. She really was going to be a great mom someday.

"Fine," I sighed.

"Okay, Sokka, Aang, you two need to go so that we can help Toph change," Katara said shooing the boys.

I felt Aang quickly lean down and kiss Katara on the cheek. Over the past couple of years, Aang had gotten so much taller, though he was still as skinny as a stick, he was about the same height as Sokka.

The two boys left and Katara let out a squeal that scared the you-know-what out of me.

"Cool. Come on, let's get his dress on her," Katara said giddily as she clapped her hands together.

"Oh, God Kat, you're scaring the poor thing to death," Yue said.

"Oh fine. Here, help me get her shirt off."

"Um guys, I can dress and bathe myself," I told them.

"Oh right," Katara said, and I could sense that she had a deep blush on her cheeks.

"Here Toph," Yue said handing me my undergarments. "Go get a show and put these on. Then we'll help you with the dress. Trust me, even I would need help getting that thing on."

"Okay," I said going to the bathroom that was connected to the bedroom.

I could hear Sokka and Aang come back in and start talking with the two girls as I tried to get the water the right temperature. As I washed my hair, I tried to figure out what they were all planning. It wasn't my birthday. Although, Zuko's was in two days, but what did that have to do with me unless…

No, he doesn't have to pick his wife, and Fire Lady, until his twenty-fifth birthday. This was only his twenty-third. 'Maybe it's…' I thought to myself but I couldn't thing of anything else. My mind kept floating back to the thought of Zuko actually picking me tonight.

I finally shut off the water and called, "Snoozles, Twinkle Toes, go back outside," after slipping into my undergarments.

"Okay we're going," Sokka called and a moment later, the door opened, then closed again.

"Okay, you can come out now," Yue called.

"So what crazy thing are you going to do to my hair and face?" I asked coming out.

"Not much. Zuko said keep it natural."

"Good," I smiled.

"And to you clip back your bangs," Yue added.

"Figures, I don't' get why he always wants me to wear my bangs back," I sighed, going over and sitting in the chair in front of the mirror.

"It's because your eyes are beautiful," Yue told her.

"Gorgeous," Katara agreed.

"Really? I thought that they would be ugly, you know because I'm blind."

"Of course not. Hasn't Zuko ever told you how pretty they are?" Katara asked.

"Yeah, but he's pretty much required to," I told her. I could feel Yue brushing my long hair and Katara added a small amount of blush to my cheeks.

"Thanks you guys for helping me," I told them.

"Don't mention it," They said. They both brushed it off as if it was nothing, but I could feel the gratitude in their body language, especially Katara.

"Come on. We have to be in the Ballroom in the next thirty minutes and it's going to take at least twenty to get this dress on," Katara said.

"What?" I asked, a little worried. "How is that even possible?"

"She's kidding. It should only take ten," Yue said.

"Okay that's a little better I suppose. Can we just get it over with?" I asked.

"Yeah, Yue, can you grab the slip?"

Ten minutes later, I was completely dressed and they were adding the finishing touches to my hair and make up. Yue was just fixing the clip in my hair, when there was a knock on the door.

"It's Zuko," I told them.

"Oh well," Katara called, "You can come in Prince Zuko."

"Prince?" I asked as Zuko entered. "You never refer to him formally."

"Oh it just slipped I guess," she said quickly.

"Come on, Katara, we still have to go get dressed," Yue said pulling her towards the door.

"See you later," they called before closing the door.

"You look stunning," Zuko said coming over and kissing me.

"Stunning? Huh, that's a new one," I smiled.

"Yes, well I don't think you've ever made any dress look this beautiful before."

"Oh so now we're bringing out all the cliché lines? Come on Zuzu, I thought we were over all that."

"Just the one line I promise," he said.

"So what's with all the secrets tonight? What's the big surprise?" I asked.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you know would it?" hw asked moving his hand from mine and moving it to my waist and pulling me into a type of half hug.

"I'll act surprised."

"No," he said.

"Please?" I begged.

"No, I'm not giving in," he said although I could tell the he was struggling to hold true to his word.

"Please?" I asked wrapping both my arms around his neck and kissing him. In the heels, I could almost do this without standing on my tippy toes…almost.

"Toph," he said kissing the top of my head, and detangling his arms from around my neck. "No."

"Fine," I grumbled.

"So how much of a torture was the process of getting ready?" he asked me.

"Not to bad," I said truthfully.

"Good."

"Although I still have my eyes exposed. Why are you so keen on having my hair clipped back?"

"How many times do I have to tell you? You have the most beautiful eyes," he told me, brushing his fingers against my cheek.

"I thought you said no more cliché."

"That wasn't cliché, that was true."

"It maybe, which I highly doubt, but it was still cheesy."

"Can we argue about this later? We have to be in the Ballroom in five minutes."

"Okay."

"Good, now come on," he said leading me to down the stairs and towards the Ballroom.

Two guards opened the doors for us and all sound in the royal dance hall ceased. I could feel everyone's eyes on us.

"Zuko, why's everyone staring?' I asked in a hushed tone.

"Because the guest of honor just showed up five minutes late," he said. I could hear him smirking as conversation began to pick back up again.

"I could have come with the Giggle Twins so you weren't late," I said as we made our way over to the head table.

Ursa got up from her seat and came over to hug us.

"Toph dear," she smiled as she hugged me tightly.

"Hello Lady Ursa," I replied hugging her back.

Over the past five years that Zuko and I had been going out, I had become extremely close to the Fire Lady.

"Come, come sit down," Ursa said pushing me to the seat next to her.

"Hello Lady Toph," Ozai greeted.

"My Lord," I nodded.

Zuko chuckled as Ursa sat down. She was jittery and couldn't sit still for more than a couple of seconds. She was like a three year old after eating a ton of candy. She couldn't keep her feet from tapping under the table.

I smiled as I sad down next to her and Zuko took the seat between his father and me. It took me a second to realize how important our seating arrangements were, and nearly gasped when I did. Zuko and I were sitting in between the Fire Lord and Lady.

"Zuko," I asked barley above a whisper.

"Yes Toph?" he asked, turning his head to look at me.

"Explain."

"What?" he asked nervously.

"Our seats. I may not be Fire nation, but I still from a noble family. We are seated in between the two rulers of the nation. The only time that ever happens, and mean ever, is during a wedding, and a very high one at that, or a coronation. So why two years early?" I whispered.

"Father's ready to settle down and give up the throne (A/N- Yes we all know that Ozai would never do that, but for the purpose of the story he is doing it. Besides, it's an AU. Get over it.) So I'm taking it early and you are entire too smart," he whispered back, tapping me on the nose.

"Oh so you couldn't have told me that beforehand?"

"No, I wanted it to be a surprise."

"The thought," I laughed. "Someone surprising me. Come on Zuzu, you should know by now that that's not possible."

"I'll get you one say," he smirked, as if someday was sooner than I thought.

"Yeah, right, and Twinkle and Snoozles are going to confess their undying love for each other."

At that moment, the Fire Lord stood up and cleared his throat. Within seconds, the entire ballroom was silenced.

"Ladies and gentlemen, nobles from around the world, you all know why we are gathered here, but some of you are probably confused on why I'm stepping down two years early," he told them all. His voice boomed through the room. "The reason is because Lady Ursa and I are expecting another child."

"Huh?" I gasped before thinking, then grasped Ursa's arm, squeezing it lightly and smiled.

"I should have known. Although, I guess right now, its heartbeat is still too weak for me to hear."

The room around us began to break out in applause and even a few cheers. When it died down, Ozai continued,

"So tomorrow morning, Crown Prince Zuko and a bride of his choice, will take the throne. Tonight, my son will tell us all of his choice."

Zuko stood up. "Well, anyone who knows me can pretty much guess who I want to be my wife and Fire Lady, but I don't want to force her into anything."

"As if," I heard Aang chuckle from the table next to ours.

"So," Zuko said turning to me and taking me hand, pulling me up so I was standing next to him, though nowhere near as tall, even in heels. "Lady Toph Bei Fong of the Earth Kingdom, will you marry me, and help me rule the Fire Nation?"

"It would be an honor to," I said in the polite tone that I was taught to use when in the presence of royalty.

Cheers erupted throughout the ballroom again and I felt Zuko squeeze my hand.

"Well then in honor of the future bonding of our two new rulers and the future birth of a royal family member, let the ball begin," Ozai said clapping his hands together once.

"Congratulations Lady Ursa," I told her five minutes later with a hug.

"And you as well my daughter," she said squeezing me a little harder at the last word.

"Welcome to the family," Ozai said giving me a quick hug.

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to steal Toph now," Zuko said pulling me away to the edge of the dance floor and behind on of the pillars. As soon as we were out of sight, he leaned down and kissed me. I immediately responded by standing on the tip of my toes and wrapping my arms around his neck, just as his went down to my waist, pulling me closer to him.

"I'm sorry about the public proposal," he said once we pulled away, to my great displeasure. "Mind trying it again?"

"Why not?"

"Good," he said dropping down to one knee. "Toph, love, will you do me the honor of letting me marry you?"

"I don't know," I laughed, then threw my arms around him. "Of course."

He picked me up and spun me around in a few quick circles. I'm sure someone managed to see us, and would be coming to interrupt us any second.

"I know you don't like wearing rings, so I decided to choose an older tradition. One that's not from either of our cultures, but the ancient water tradition," he said pulling a nexklace out of his pocket, and placed it in my hand. It was a small rock pendent on a delicate chain. As I brushed my thumb over the engraves I could feel the symbols for both the fire and earth nations. It was simple, and I loved it.

"Thank you Zuko," I said brushing my fingers of the cold rock.

"Want help putting it on?" he asked.

"Please," I said handing it to him.

"Toph, you know I love you right?" Zuko asked as his fingers graced the back of my neck as he fiddled with the clasp of the necklace.

"Yeah, you know I love you too right?"

"I figured you mush if you could stand me for five years," he said kissing me again, just as Aang came up to us, causing us to jump apart just as our lips touched.

"Hey congrats guys," he said in his usual over-bubbly voice.

"Aang I swear if you don't leave right now," Zuko growled. I could feel his arm tense against the stone pillar next to my head.

"Fine fine," he chuckled, throwing his arms up in surrender.

"Just so you know though, Lord Ozai and Lady Ursa are looking for you two."

"Why?" Zuko asked, still annoyed with the young avatar.

"I don't know. I didn't want to ask. Your dad scares me."

"Fine, we'll be there in five minutes."

"Um, it sounded important," he insisted.

"Fine, come on Toph," Zuko sighed and I couldn't help but laugh.

"What?" he asked?

"Nothing," I chuckled. "Come on lets go find your parents."

"Our," he corrected.

"Right. That's gonna be hard to get used to," I told him.

"You'll get used to it," he said squeezing my shoulder and pulling me into a type of half hug.

He chuckled as we made our way over to the head table.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm trying to figure out if your mom will scream or faint when we tell her," he laughed.

"Probably both," I laughed imagining the act. "She's been hoping this would happen since our first date. There'll probably even be tears."

"Can you believe it's been five years?" he asked.

"It doesn't seem that long, does it?"

"Not at all," he agreed just as we arrived at the table.

"Zuko, Toph," Ozai said nodding to us each in turn.

"Yes Father?" Zuko asked.

"You have a visitor."

"Oh?" he asked just as I straitened up and smiling.

"Iroh?" I asked turning to hug the man behind us.

"Hello dear and congratulations," he said patting my back.

It had been six months since I had seen my friend, due to the fact that he had been in Ba Sing Sei, tying to help clean up after the war.

"Thank you Iroh," I said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"See now you have to call me Uncle," he chuckled. Iroh had been trying to get me to call him uncle for as long as I knew him, but I couldn't. He was a great general and it would be disrespectful. There were times that we were in private just me, him, and Zuko when I would call him 'uncle' but those occasions rarely happened.

"Okay Uncle," I laughed moving so Zuko could greet him.

"Welcome back," Zuko said hugging him tightly. "The manor has been lonely without you." Zuko had been staying and running his uncle's manor while he was away.

"I wish I could stay and thank you properly, my prince."

"Why can't you?" I asked sadly.

"Because, little one, we are still trying to help restore Ba Sing Sei after the attacks," he explained.

A year ago, the Fire Nation colonies had attacked the great Earth Kingdom city with lava and bombs, and then threw the blame on the Fire Nation. However, after some investigations and a lot of pressure on the royal family, it was discovered that the colonies were actually the guilty ones.

"But that was over a year ago," I said confused.

"It takes awhile to fix," Zuko said, his voice sounded sad.

"Well, we're glad you're here for now," he said hugging the older man again, his tone back to normal.

"Do you think I could dance with the soon-to-be bride?" Uncle asked, turning to Zuko.

"As if I have any control over this little thing," Zuko laughed squeezing me hand. Funny, I don't remember him ever retaking it. "You'll have to ask Toph."

"Well then my dear, care for a dance?" he asked bowing politely.

"Of course Uncle," I said with a small curtsy.

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Ah, it's over! This is the final one I had to write.

I loved writing this story, but I'm glad to have it finished.

I began writing it on June 25, 2008. Less than a year. I'd say that's pretty impressive wouldn't you?

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