A/N: I was bored, hence the reason this chapter is early. I'm currently doing this family essay for uni and it was taking forever, so I took a break to do this. The writing is probably not that great here, I guess I'm not so good when it comes to tying off loose ends. Hope it's not too bad?
6 months Later:
Toph's POV:
"Are you ready Toph?" The young Airbender asks, his tone chipper. I groan.
"Why are you so happy?" I pause and then shake my head. "Wait, forget I asked that. I forgot that your engagement to Katara has put you into an annoyingly upbeat state." My response causes Aang to laugh warmly.
"Come on Toph. It's a new day and you're going to meet your parents for the first time in 2 years. That's exciting!" I groan again.
"I think we have two very different definitions for the word exciting." I mutter out as I blow my hair bangs from my eyes.
"Probably, your version of excitement is smashing stuff up." I grin at Aang's correct deduction.
"You're not wrong there."
"But Toph, this is your chance to finally patch things up with them. You want that, don't you?" I close my eyes briefly and clutch the edge of the saddle tighter.
"I do, but I don't know if they'll want me. I've been a pain in their side for so long." I confess in a whisper as my heart constricts with painful anticipation.
"Toph, it will be ok. They're your parents and they love you. You just have to apologise and that will sort everything." Aang answers softly causing me to roll my unseeing eyes.
"I hate how sure you are about some things. You do realise things aren't always that easy?" I complain.
"Just you wait and see." The Airbender states with a knowing smile as he guides Appa down. The Air Bison groans when his feet touch the ground outside of the Beifong Estate. I jump off and make my way to the front door as Aang stands several paces behind me. I raise a hand. 'Ok, all I have to do is apologise and hope that things don't escalate badly, like last time.' I sigh and take a moment to focus on Aang's steady stance. 'He wanted to come with me and despite how ready I was to argue against his company, I didn't. As much as I hated to admit it to myself, I needed his support.' I take in a deep breath and knock. I fully expected a servant to open the door, but instead I'm greeted with my father's familiar footsteps.
"Toph?!" The shock in his voice is evident, 'No surprise, he did tell me to never return.'
"Hi dad. I know you told me to never come back, but I just needed to say one thing." I take in a deep breath, 'apologies have never been my strong suit.' I raise my head slightly. "I'm sorry. When I came home I acted like a jerk. I didn't stop to consider your feelings or how much I hurt you when I ran away. An annoying friend of my mine made me realise that and I'm so sorry for not understanding it back then. I don't expect you to forgive me or anything, but I just wanted..." I break off when I feel a pair of hands grab me by the shoulders and pull me forward until I'm crushed into my father's embrace.
"I've missed you so much." He mutters quietly. I open and close my mouth twice, as my throat bubbles with emotion. "That day I hit you...I've never regretted anything that much as I did that day. I've kept your mother awake all night with my pacing." His voice cracks with the confession. I swallow harshly and bury my face into his chest.
"I've missed you too dad." I say with a low whisper causing the man to hug me tighter.
"Your mother kept telling me to go and find you, to apologise. But I was too much of a coward. I didn't know what I'd say when I saw you. I suppose I was waiting for you to make the first step." I pull back slightly with a wiry smile.
"I was hoping that you'd be the one to break the ice. I mean, you did essentially revoke my family title." I say but regret it when I sense my father flinching at the reminder.
"I'm so sorry Toph, I was so mad and hurt that I lashed out." The man explains but I shake my head at his words.
"No, I was being inconsiderate and feisty. I'm so sorry." I apologise and just before my dad could respond, a women appears behind him. I gulp.
"Mum?" I state softly and with a sob the lady runs forward to engulf me in a tight hug.
"My darling, it's been so long. I kept telling your father to go and find you but he was just so stubborn!" I chuckle at my mother's comment and turn my head towards my dad.
"Well I guess that's where I got my stubbornness from. Part of me was still mad at him to do anything about it, but I understand why you guys were angry and I hope you can forgive me." I say as my mum grabs my father by the forearm to bring us in for a family hug.
"We've forgiven you a while ago. I hope you can forgive us?" My dad inquires softly and I just clutch them tighter. "Oh and that whole cutting you off from the Beifong lineage? Consider it undone." I smile.
"I never did consider myself anything else." I joke and release my hold on them. I take a couple of paces back.
"Thank you guys for having me, but I should head back." I say with a touch of regret.
"You're leaving already?" My mum asks as her shoulders slumps.
"I know, I want to stay longer but Republic City needs me. I'm the Chief of police there and I have to keep everyone in tip top shape." I explain but my mum's head drops as my father wraps an arm around her shoulders. I take a step forward.
"But I'll visit often and get someone to write my letters to you." I reassure until a sudden idea hits me and I turn my head to look at Aang. "In fact I think Twinkletoes will do a great job of that. You're hired!" I tell him with a grin causing the Avatar to splutter in surprise. I sense my parents suddenly focusing intently on the Airbender, as if only noticing his presence now.
"You better make sure you look after our daughter Avatar Aang!" My father states sternly with a touch of protectiveness.
"Of course sir. But with all due respect, Toph is very capable of looking after herself." I smile, glad that Aang has the guts to voice that. I turn my head to focus on my father, wary of his reaction.
"Yes, I suppose you're right." I breathe out a sigh of relief at his response and give them one final hug before parting with a wave and a tear.
"I don't think I've ever heard you apologise so much in one conversation." I scowl at Aang's comment and aim a punch at his bicep. He yelps and shifts away from me slightly. "Is that the thanks I get for helping you reunite with your parents?" I scoff at his wounded tone, but with a sigh I turn my head towards him.
"Thanks Twinkletoes. Sometimes I'm too bull-headed to notice the perspective of other people." I state sincerely, but raise an eyebrow when Aang shifts closer to me until we're walking side by side again.
"I'm glad I could help. Having a family is an amazing thing." I note the sad undertone of Aang's soft spoken words and I can only imagine what's going through his mind. I gulp, 'I've never had to be the one to comfort Aang about the loss of his people; that has always been Katara's job.'
"You know, now that I've patched things up with my parents, why don't you tag along when I visit them? I mean, you are essentially this annoying, perky brother." I suggest casually. I stop walking when Aang's feet come to an abrupt stop. I turn to face him as a shadow of uncertainty crosses my mind. 'Was that too much?' But before I can voice my doubt aloud I'm engulfed in about the fifth hug I've had today. However, this is strangely one of those types of hugs that I didn't realise I've missed until today. I hug the Airhead back for a few moments before pushing myself away.
"Thanks Toph, I appreciate that." I brush Aang's gratitude to one side with a wave of my hand.
"Don't mention it. Now come on, we should head back to Republic City for that meeting about your wedding ceremony. I mean who in the world thought it would be a good idea to set that up?" I ask with unrestrained annoyance which elicits a chuckle from the Airbender.
"I agree, it is weird. But I suppose they need to sort out the details of security and invitations. Plus, the council are trying hard to figure out how to integrate Water Tribe traditions with Air Nomad customs which must be pretty hard." I snort at the Avatar's explanation.
"Great, we're essentially wasting time to do a wedding plan. Isn't that meant to be the stuff that you and Katara sort out?" I ask which elicits a shrug from the Airbender. "Well at least this is one thing that Xiu can't poke his big nose in." I continue as I cross my arms.
"You'll be surprised, Xiu has a strong opinion on everything. Next thing you'll see is him insisting on a green and yellow themed wedding." I throw my head back at this and laugh. A moment later Aang joins in with my sniggering before finally clearing his throat. "But in all fairness he has toned down since the whole rebel thing ended."
"If by toning down you mean he only jumps up with a criticism every 30 seconds instead of every 5, then yeah that's a real improvement." I answer sarcastically.
"Exactly!" At Aang's enthusiastic response I face palm my forehead before shaking my head.
"One of these days you really need to learn about sarcasm." I say as I hop onto Appa's saddle.
"I like to see the good in everyone. Besides a small improvement is better than none in my opinion." I shake my head.
"Alright Airhead. Take us back to Republic City." I command, giving up on arguing with the Airbender.
"Ay ay Chief!" I smirk at the goofy response as I hear Appa's groan and feel the sudden rush of wind brushing against my face.
"You know, I like the sound of that. Maybe you should just call me Chief Toph from now on." I joke, earning a chuckle from the young Avatar.
"Yeah, I wouldn't push your luck." Aang replies frankly and I lean back against the saddle, enjoying our open camaraderie. 'I've missed this. Our easy friendship, the teasing, Aang's constant presence, Appa, heck even flying isn't quite as distasteful as it used to be.'
"Hey Aang?" I call out suddenly. I hear him shift closer.
"Yeah Toph?" The Airbender asks, the obvious confusion sounds in his voice, probably due to the fact that I used his real name.
"It's good to have you back." I mumble sincerely. Several moments pass before I feel a gentle nudge on my bicep.
"It's good to be back."
A/N: I bet you guys weren't expecting this! Well, I brought up Toph's family issues early on in the story, so I thought it would be nice to patch that up and tie off that final loose end. (NB: I know things are different from the comic with Toph and her dad). Next chapter is the last one, so again if there's anything you want to see before the story ends just let me know. Also, review please?
Unfortunately I haven't finished writing the final chapter, haven't had much motivation, probably that will change once my essay is out of the way, so don't worry, but can't say when exactly the next chapter will be out, but I'm definitely intending to get it out before the end of my Easter holiday (14th Apr) so hopefully expect an update some time before then. Can't believe after nearly 5 years this story is reaching its end. Wanted to thank everyone for reading for this long whether you're new or old – thank you and a special shout-out to Northern Goshawk for your kind and consistent reviews – really appreciate them!
Well, next time I post here it will be the last, but until then keep safe everyone. Praying things will go back to normal soon. I miss not going to church or outside. Hope you guys are hanging in there.
29/3/20
