Every day was spent basking underneath the summer sun, and talking about anything and everything we could search our minds for. But of course, it came to an end after the two weeks were up.

"Promise you'll write?" Lakota asks.

"Of course," I say. "I love you, Lakota. These two weeks have been the most fun I've had in a long time. Never forget our time together."

"I don't intend to."

I kiss his cheek and board the ferry to Caldera City where my family is waiting.

Three Years and Countless Letters Later

Kya

It's been three years since I've seen Lakota. Sure we've written, and made plans to meet, but something always got in the way of it. I was jaded for quite some time. But eventually, I got over it, and became happy again.

"Kya? Can I come in?" I hear my mom say as she knocks on my bedroom door.

"Yeah," I say, opening the door for her.

"Listen, your father and I have a surprise for you," my mom says. "We think you'll like it."

"Is it fire flakes? You know how much I love those," I say.

My mother chuckles. "You've got your uncle's appetite. But no. It's better."

She walks me out to the main sitting room, where I find Lakota talking with my father and brother.

"Lakota?" I ask him. "Is it really you?"

Lakota has grown a few inches, and his muscles have developed more. His hair is longer, and fashioned in a topknot. He is wearing a formal tunic, pants, and boots. His cheekbones are more defined, and he's even got the beginning of a beard growing. I've grown as well; filling out more, and looking more like a woman and not the awkward, young teen I was when I met and fell in love with him.

"Kya! It's you! I can't believe it!" he says, running up and hugging me. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too," I say. "But why come now? And not sooner?"

"Honestly, because I was too shy to do it. But I finally got up the guts and made a deal with our parents so I could do this."

He gets down on one knee, and presents me with a red silk choker with a golden pendant, and in his other hand is a ring.

"I made a deal with your parents. Your mom wanted me to make a necklace, and your father wanted me to have a ring ready. But my dad wanted it to be my mother's ring. Kya, I want you to marry me. Will you be my wife?"

"Yes! I will!" I exclaim.

I jump into his arms, and he twirls me around. We share a kiss, not caring that my family was watching.

"Kids, we have an announcement," my mother says. "Zuko? Want to do the honors?"

"My children, I've been Fire Lord a long time. But your mother and I have decided to retire," my dad says.

"But Dad, who will be the new Fire Lord?" Junior asks.

"Kya, as my firstborn, I believe you should take my place. If we are going to follow tradition, then this is my choice," my father announces. "But that's only if you are willing."

"I am, Dad. I will take your place as Fire Lord. With honor," I tell him. "But wait… what does that make Lakota?"

"That will make him your right hand man. He will have power, but not as much as you," my mom says.

"Are you willing to do that, Lakota?" I ask my fiancée.

"Kya, I just spent the past three years getting up the courage to ask for your hand. And now that I have it, I'm not gonna give it up that easily," Lakota says.

Zuko

Kya and Lakota are married about six months later, and her coronation takes place a few weeks later. Then, just a year after that, we hear of my son's proposal to Aang and Toph's airbending daughter, Kaori, and his announcement that he's gonna travel the world with her and try to find a place to start a family after their wedding.

It's in the moments after, when I'm holding Katara in my arms, that I realize I have no regrets. My daughter and son have grown up to be amazing people, and I still have Katara.

I have finally found true happiness.

Fin