Chapter: Return

"Tara! I see them!" Aang yelled.

Katara looked up from where she was gardening behind the house. "Aang? Why are you on the roof?"

Aang laughed giddily and jumped from the roof down in front of Katara.

"Be careful, sweetie!" Katara scolded playfully.

"They're back!" Aang laughed, kissing Katara's cheek and pulling her towards the front of the island.

"Okay, Okay, I'm coming." Katara smiled broadly at her husband.

Oogi's familiar flying form was visible on the horizon, and within minutes, he had landed on Air Temple Island.

Tenzin slid down Oogi's side, and then turned to aid Lin's descent.

Aang was the first to greet them. He picked them both off the ground in a warm firm hug.

"Hey Dad." Tenzin sighed, eyes twinkling with a sense of humor.

"Careful of the baby." Lin cautioned, smiling broadly.

"Oh, can I see? Are you showing yet? Do you have any cravings? How are you feeling?" Aang rambled.

Lin lifted her shirt slightly to reveal her growing baby bump. "I'll start with the first question, yes." She beamed.

Aang gasped in delight, covering his mouth with his hands. "Tara, do you see this?"

Katara strode over to them, glancing at Lin's belly. Her eyes widened and a broad smile overtook her face. "Lin! Oh my goodness!" She placed a warm hand over Lin's belly. "You're growing!"

"Yeah, not sure how I feel about potentially looking like I'm smuggling a beach ball everywhere I go, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Lin chuckled.

"May I?" Aang pointed to her stomach.

"Of course! It's your grand baby." Lin beamed.

Aang placed a hand gently over Lin's stomach. "Our grand baby." Aang whispered softly.

"Aang, sweetie, you okay?" Katara looked at Aang's cheeks, now stained with tear tracks.

"Our grand baby!" Aang laughed, choking back sobs.

He enveloped Lin in a hug. "I am so beyond happy. Thank you, Lin." Aang whispered.

Lin hugged him back tightly, not able to find a better reply.

"Come on, I want to make sure everything is alright. Let me give you a quick check up." Katara motioned for Lin to come with her.

Lin linked arms with Katara, and together they disappeared into the house.

Aang turned to his son. "Have I mentioned how happy I am that you married Lin? And how proud of you I am, for everything you have done with your life, for the decisions you have made?"

"Once or twice." Tenzin blushed slightly, scratching the back of his neck.

Aang pulled his son in for a hug. "I am so proud of you, son."

"Thanks, dad. I mean, Lin deserves a lot of credit though." Tenzin chuckled.

"Indeed. As your mother does for everything we were able to accomplish in our day. That's the best part of a forever girl, they make you a better person, and growing together is a beautiful and worthy journey." Aang reminisced.