A/N: Hello and welcome to the final chapter of this story! Thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed it. I certainly enjoyed working on it, after taking a long break from writing. I have to say that this story has been one of my most viewed ones, but for some reason it did not translate into a lot of reviews. I am someone who will always finish their stories because I write for my own enjoyment and not for the clicks, but I know that many others do need the feedback to keep them motivated. So as my final thought, I would ask you all who read stories and enjoy them, to take that minute out of your day and let the writer know your appreciation. As a result, there will be less chance of the story you like being abandoned.

Finally, on Monday, I will begin posting a new story, and I would welcome everyone to check it out. It will focus on Azula, her path to redemption and her relationship with Katara. Yes, you heard that right. It is going to be a rare Azutara story.

Chapter 52

Zuko leaned against the terrace railing of his Ember Island estate, taking a deep breath of the refreshing sea breeze. With the cries of birds up in the sunny cloudless sky, it was shaping up to be another wonderful day on Ember Island, and it instantly got even better when he felt his wife joining him on the terrace, cuddling up to him as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"They should be here pretty soon, I imagine," Katara remarked, sounding a little tired, yet immeasurably happy.

"Yes, any moment now, I think I heard some excited chatter down on the path," Zuko replied, looking at the rocky trail that led up to the estate, but with it being partially obscured, he could not see very far down the path. "How is she?" he asked softly, looking back at the estate.

"Sleeping peacefully," Katara said, letting out a small yawn of her own. "It'll be a shame to wake her up, but our guests will demand to see her, of course."

"We can make them wait a little, I'm sure," Zuko smiled at her. He didn't know how it was possible, but childbirth had made Katara even more beautiful in his eyes.

To now think back that Katara had almost panicked about not being ready to become a mother at the tender age of twenty seemed ridiculous. For months, she had mothered Aang, Sokka and Toph during their perilous journeys, a task far more challenging than taking care of their newborn daughter. Still, to reassure Katara and provide her with support, Zuko had made good use on Azula by now being firmly settled in Republic City, and so he had asked Ursa to come and live with them in the palace, so that she could help guide Katara through the challenges of motherhood.

In the end, Zuko was not at all surprised that Katara hadn't needed much in the way of guidance, in fact, Zuko himself had needed more advice from Noren. As for Katara, she had slipped into her new role naturally and effortlessly, projecting only calm, content and happiness, and as a result, their newborn proved to be very well behaved and easy to take care of. Zuko had also managed to somehow get a handle on his own nervousness about the challenges of fatherhood, and surrounded by so much love, their daughter was a perfectly calm and healthy toddler.

"There they are," Zuko shook off his reverie, pointing at the procession appearing on the mountain path. Azula was at the head of the group, as expected, trying to rile everyone into a contest about being the first to reach the estate, but since all the others were bogged down by the gifts they were carrying, Azula's challenge went unanswered.

"No Aang. Yet again," Katara frowned as she observed the group, Ty Lee and Suki following Azula, then Toph, and finally Sokka, absolutely weighed down by the luggage.

"I can understand it being very hard to move on from someone like you, love, but at this point, he's just being childish," Zuko nodded in agreement. "Hopefully he'll realize that soon."

"Zuzu! Katara!" Azula was the first to notice them, rushing onto the terrace like an excited tornado, hugging them in turn and then pulling them all into a big group hug. "I'm so happy to see you again! A whole week on Ember Island, I can't wait!" she cried happily.

"It's great to see you, Azula," Zuko smiled at his sister.

"It really is," Katara agreed emphatically. "You look great, by the way," she added. Zuko couldn't help but to agree with that statement. Ever since becoming a married woman, Azula had been slowly mellowing out and the rougher edges of her countenance were gradually fading out, making her appear a lot more approachable.

While Zuko and Katara had been hugging with Azula, the others had by now also reached the estate. "Hey, lovebirds!" Suki called out to them. "Where do you want us to dump all our stuff?"

"Up here on the terrace will do, Suki, we can sort it all out later," Zuko replied, watching as Suki and Ty Lee piled all their belongings on the floor and then rushed forward to also exchange hugs with him and Katara. The two girls were becoming more and more close friends to the family first, and trusted bodyguards second, and Zuko had offered them to step down from their positions to simply come and live at the palace as their friends and confidantes, but for now, both Suki and Ty Lee could not imagine being parted from their Kyoshi sisters, and had decided to for now continue on with things as they were.

Toph and Sokka had arrived the last, but by now they were also on the terrace, carefully placing their luggage on the floor before coming over to embrace Zuko and Katara. "Hey, sis," Sokka smiled at Katara. "You don't actually look bedraggled! I was hearing all those horror tales about how exhausting motherhood is, but you don't really seem to be that worn down."

"Oh yes, it's all smooth sailing, Sokka, there's nothing to it," Katara rolled her eyes. "Ignorant goof. I can't wait until you get to go through with it, but I'm guessing you'll be of no meaningful help to Azula either way."

"That sounds about right," Azula commented with a wicked grin on her lips.

"Hey, no fair... stop ganging up on me!" Sokka whined.

"Then don't say ignorant stuff," Katara gave him a playful jab. "Eh, I'm sure you'll be an alright dad, Sokka. Don't mind me."

"Yes, I think Sokka will be just fine," Zuko felt the instant need to defend the only other man present. "No pressure, of course, take all the time you want."

"So, you weren't able to convince Aang to come?" Katara then asked Toph.

"Nope, he was really stubborn about it. He said that seeing your child with Zuko would just make him full of regrets about what could have been," Toph shrugged. "He sent a gift though. Authentic Air Nomad wind chimes to hang over the crib."

"Maybe you should check them for poisonous snakes first," Azula suggested.

"Azula, that's uncalled for," Katara frowned at her. "Aang would never wish us harm."

"Probably not, but he needs to get over it, it's starting to get annoying," Azula replied defiantly. "He even sometimes brings you both up during council sessions about completely unrelated matters." Sokka looked a little uncomfortable at that, suggesting that Azula's statement was perfectly accurate.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it now, besides, this day... and this whole week is not about Aang anyway," Zuko spoke up decisively, determined not to allow the thoughts about their alienated friend poison their wonderful gathering of friends and family.

"That's right!" Azula exclaimed. "We've brought gifts for the baby! And now we demand to see the baby!"

"I'm afraid she's still fast asleep, Azula," Katara replied apologetically. "Zuko and I would love to see your gifts, though, and afterwards, I'll bring her out."

"Oh, fine!" Azula relented. "Sokka, present our gifts!" she ordered her husband.

"You're standing right next to the box with our presents," Sokka pointed at the box by Azula's feet.

"Oh, right! Well, I can't remember where you packed them," Azula chuckled nervously, picking up the box and removing its lid before passing it over to Katara and Zuko.

"Oh... aww, are those plushies of all the polar animals?" Katara exclaimed happily, removing one of the toys, a plush otter penguin. "I remember having some of these as a child! Oh, and there's a polar bear dog, and my old favorite, the puffin-seal!"

"Sokka was sure these would be better than all my ideas, so I'm glad you like it," Azula admitted reluctantly. "Hmm, maybe it would have been a bit too soon for a toy sword and armor."

"I just thought it would be nice for the kid to learn about her mom's heritage this way," Sokka smiled.

"That's very thoughtful, Sokka, we really appreciate the gift," Zuko smiled at his friend, Katara nodding emphatically.

"Well, I have something for you as well..." Toph spoke up, the tall girl digging through her belongings until she came up with an elaborate looking box, lined with red velvet and silver thread. "There's an old Earth Kingdom tradition of baby showers that still survives to this day among the nobility. You may have heard the saying 'born with silver spoon in their mouth', right?" Zuko and Katara both nodded in affirmation. "Well... I'm a metalbender, so... kinda figures that I'd make you something of my own, doesn't it? Hopefully that tradition is worth anything and it brings your child good fortune."

Zuko took the rather heavy box in his hands and held it, while Katara opened it, both of them gasping when they saw its contents, a collection of intricate silver items, starting from a large silver cup, down to finely crafted cutlery, silver combs and brushes, and even an amazingly delicate looking silver rattle. "Whoa... I am speechless, Toph," Zuko blinked, unable to take his eyes away from the beautifully crafted items.

"Toph, this is amazing... it's a pure work of art," Katara gasped. "You're an amazing friend, and we're so blessed to have you," she exclaimed, moving to embrace the slightly startled Toph in a crushing hug.

"Hey... it's just a gift," Toph tried to object, but then gave up and happily returned the hug.

"Well... I don't think we can match Toph's gift," Suki laughed once everyone had settled down again. "But we still got you something."

"I'm sure it will be lovely, Suki," Katara smiled encouragingly, Zuko nodding as well.

"We figured you'd probably spend a lot of time with the baby on Ember Island," Ty Lee said, dragging out a fairly sizeable crate and opening it to reveal it full of all sorts of toys. "So, we got her all sorts of things, mostly stuff that would be useful on the beach."

"That's very sweet of you, Ty Lee," Zuko smiled at the happily beaming girl. "And yes, we are definitely spending a lot of time here, away from the capital."

"But that's not all we got," Suki grinned, retrieving another box from the pile of their luggage. "Ty Lee saw this in one of the shops in the capital, and she insisted that we got this for you... and I agreed with her. Though we'll need a bit of time to put it together for use, there's not much to look at yet, just a box of parts."

"Oh?" Katara looked at her curiously. "What's it for?"

"It'll soon become a komodo rhino rocker!" Ty Lee announced.

"Oh! I used to have one of those as a child!" Zuko exclaimed with a broad grin on his face. "It was my favorite toy!"

"Just don't try to ride it now, you'll probably break it," Suki laughed.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Zuko chuckled, going through the box of toys that Ty Lee and Suki had brought with them, grinning as he retrieved something and showed it to Katara. "Look at this, Katara... a dragon shaped pacifier, isn't it cute?"

"Oh, I love it!" Katara beamed, snatching the pacifier out of Zuko's hands. "And it's going to see immediate use, too."

"That's right, now that the gifts have been presented, we demand to see the baby!" Azula chanted impatiently.

Katara and Zuko exchanged amused stares, starting to laugh. "Oh, fine, I think she's slept enough by now, anyway," Katara eventually conceded, heading back into the estate. A few minutes later she returned carrying a small bundle in her arms. She was instantly surrounded by the overexcited Azula, Ty Lee and Suki, Toph and Sokka the patient ones this time around.

"Aww, she's so tiny and cute!" Suki cooed, lightly touching the baby with her finger and finding her digit immediately seized by a tiny hand. "Gosh... all my insides are just melting right now..." she gushed tearfully.

"Katara, how did you decide on the name?" Ty Lee asked, watching as Suki was playing with the baby, Katara eventually allowing her girlfriend to hold the toddler. "Izumi is a lovely name, but I wonder if there's an actual story behind it."

"There is, actually, and it has to do with Azula," Zuko said, together with Sokka coming up to the others, crooning over the baby.

"Izumi's name has to do with me?" Azula blinked, appearing surprised. "How?"

"Our mother told me something very curious not so long ago," Zuko began to explain. "You see, when you were born, our mother had chosen a different name for you than the one you were given, but Ozai overruled her, insisting that you were to be named Azula."

"After Azulon, of course," Azula nodded. "I mean, I like my name, but Ozai was still such a loser, trying to suck up to grandpa so obviously."

"Well, the original name that our mother had chosen for you was Izumi," Zuko finished. "But not only did she not get to raise you how she would have wanted, she didn't even get to name you."

"So... I was supposed to be the original Izumi..." Azula swallowed heavily, looking overwhelmed. "That's... whoa, that's lot to take in. But... I'm glad you're making the name live on through your daughter. That's... really nice of you, Zuzu."

Ty Lee had by now taken over holding the baby from Suki, her eyes somehow widening even more in wonder as she cooed at the baby. "Wow, I'm feeling all sorts of motherly thoughts just by holding her," Ty Lee exclaimed happily. "Was it the same for you, Suki?" she asked.

"Yes... yes, it was," Suki replied, giving her girlfriend a loving stare. "It's definitely worth... thinking about, yes."

"Well, plenty of time for that during this vacation, right?" Ty Lee winked at her, receiving an instant nod.

"Could... could I hold her for a bit?" Azula asked, almost timidly.

"I'm sure Ty Lee will be happy to share," Katara smiled, watching Ty Lee pass little Izumi over into Azula's care.

"Whoa... she's so tiny and light," Azula gasped, handling the baby with almost exaggerated care, terrified to drop her. "Sokka, come look!" she called out to her husband. "Isn't she precious?"

"My little niece," Sokka sighed happily, gently poking the baby's stomach. Little Izumi responded with a happy gurgle. "You're right... she's adorable..."

"We're going to have lots of children, right?" Azula asked hopefully, giving her husband a loving stare. "Eventually. You know... when I'm ready and everything."

"I feel like that day is very close now, love," Sokka smiled lovingly, leaning in to kiss the top of his wife's head.

"It better be, or else I'm getting this overpowering urge to steal this adorable baby and nobody wants that," Azula chuckled softly. "Katara, you better take her back, or else I'm going to cry and nobody wants to see that."

"Uh, Azula, we've all seen you cry before," Ty Lee grinned as Katara took Izumi back from Azula.

"Shush, Ty Lee, don't go around spreading such lies about me, everyone knows I don't cry," Azula winked at her old friend.

"Toph, are you sure you don't want to hold Izumi?" Katara asked, walking over to their earthbender friend who had kept a little apart from the others.

"No... no, I'm fine," Toph replied hesitantly.

"Are you quite sure, or are you just worried that you might drop her because you can't see?" Katara inquired perceptively.

"Well... it's mostly the latter," Toph admitted. "But I can feel her from here just fine. Such a tiny heartbeat... it's... just amazing."

"Toph, just sit down here and I'll help you hold her, nothing will happen if you were to hold her over your lap," Katara ordered, looking like she would not take no for an answer. "Come help me, Zuko. Get Toph a chair."

"Seriously, you don't have to fuss," Toph protested even as she was being seated, sighing when Katara gently placed the baby in her arms. "Oh," was all she said, instantly forgetting to protest, looking content to simply hold the child. "I think I'm starting to understand what all the others are losing their minds about."

"You'd make a great mom, Toph," Sokka chuckled. "And you will, one day."

"I don't know... I mean, I'm not saying no, but I imagine it would be really hard with me not being able to see what I'm doing," Toph looked a little sad as she said those words.

"Nah, I'm sure it'd be fine, with the right guy," Sokka tried to reassure her. "I've been thinking... maybe you and Aang..."

"Don't even go there, Sokka," Toph immediately interrupted him.

"Yes, Sokka, you're even worse at matchmaking than your sister," Zuko pointed out, earning himself glares from both Water Tribe siblings.

"Seriously, though, Twinkletoes just isn't the type I'd go for, he's too chill and just wants to talk things out, I don't care about that," Toph shrugged. "What I want is someone with some fire and passion, someone who does things instead of talking about doing things. Someone like your guy, Sweetness."

"Uh... I'm flattered, Toph," Zuko found himself blushing deep crimson.

"Oh, don't read anything into that, it's not like I have a crush on you or anything, I'm just pointing out my type," Toph grinned. "I can feel your and Katara's heartbeats, and I know that your hearts beat for each other. But you know me, I always give you the truth straight."

"That's what we love about you, Toph," Katara smiled at her old friend. "I'm sure you'll eventually find someone who deserves you."

"Yeah, maybe, who knows," Toph shrugged. "But we're on a vacation right now, maybe I'll run into a nice Fire Nation boy on Ember Island," she added with a chuckle, then looking a little startled when Izumi began to cry. "Oh... did I do something wrong?"

"No, of course not, Toph, she's just hungry," Katara reassured the earthbender, taking Izumi and passing her over for Zuko to hold as she unbuttoned the top of her dress and began feeding the baby right there on the terrace.

"Spirits, Katara, a word of warning in advance!" Sokka protested, making a big spectacle of appearing scandalized.

"Good grief, Sokka, get over yourself already, your sister has tits just like any other girl," Azula rolled eyes at her husband. "And a very nice pair of tits, if I say so myself. Hmm, is that bite mark from the baby?" she asked, having noticed the lightest smidge of bruising on Katara's left breast.

"Yes, it is," Katara and Zuko both replied in unison.

"Wait, what?" Suki cried out in protest. "She won't be teething for almost six months yet, that's not from the baby!"

"Well, to be fair, Suki, she can clamp down hard enough with her gums to leave bruises, so it could have been from the baby," Katara smiled, blushing slightly. "Although... this particular mark might not be Izumi's..."

"Zuzu, you have some explanations to make," Azula turned on Zuko, making him blush deep crimson.

"Uh... the Fire Lord will make no further comments at this time," he managed defensively.

"I don't think you need to say anything, we all know what's going on here," Ty Lee laughed, the others joining in the merriment.

"You wouldn't believe how sensitive my breasts were... and still are," Katara whispered to the other girls surrounding her. "He could get me off just by playing with my breasts..."

"Hot damn!" Azula blinked, looking impressed and wistful. "Sokka, I want to be pregnant, now!"

"What, right here on the terrace?" Sokka's jaw dropped.

"Ha, well... not quite, but you get my point," Azula winked at him.

"A word of warning, Azula," Katara grinned at the other girl. "Your breasts might become incredibly sensitive, but they will also feel painfully swollen and sore."

"Right, and now you have ruined it for me," Azula sighed. "I guess you're off the hook for now, Sokka..."

Once the baby had been fed and was happily gurgling in her mother's arms, Katara passed Izumi back to Zuko and quickly buttoned up her dress, allowing her brother to face her again. "Well, I think maybe we should let you settle into your rooms now," Zuko said.

"That seems like a good idea," Katara nodded in agreement. "And once you're settled, I'll start working on dinner. You must be famished after making the journey."

"Oh, you shouldn't be cooking for us, Katara, you'll have your hands full with Izumi," Suki objected, Ty Lee backing her up with an emphatic nod. "We'll take care of the cooking, you just order us around and tell us what you want us to do."

"It's a deal," Katara happily agreed, and moments later, the others had disappeared inside the estate, dragging their luggage with them. Remaining alone with her husband and their child, they joined in a comfortable embrace against the railing, Zuko's arms around her waist, with Izumi gently nestled in between them.

"We have the best friends possible, don't we?" Zuko smiled at his beloved wife.

"We do," Katara smiled at him. "And the best family."

"That goes without saying," Zuko nodded. "We truly are blessed, aren't we? I know, I feel that way about every day I can spend with you and Izumi."

"I feel the same, love," Katara whispered as their lips joined in a loving, passionate kiss. "To think that it all started here, on Ember Island, almost two years ago."

"It really is a magical place, I'm starting to believe it more and more," Zuko told her. "It's almost like we've gone a full circle to get back here, and now, only good things lay in store for us."

"I'm sure we'll still face challenges, but they will be nothing compared to what we had to overcome to get here," Katara agreed emphatically. "And now that we have come so far, with the support of our friends and our families, we will not let anyone or anything threaten what we have built."

"I could not agree more," Zuko smiled at his beloved. "I love you Katara. Now and forever."

"And I love you, Zuko. Now and forever," Katara repeated as their lips met in another kiss, and they continued to stand there embraced, enveloped in the beauty of their love and the magic of Ember Island, their shared future looking brighter than ever.

THE END