Disclaimer: I don't own Atla
As time went on Pao's Tea Shop became more popular to the point where he had to hire more people to help out. He was extremely grateful to Iroh who made his tea a success and the two teens for their work.
Once Pao hired extra employees he was able to give Iroh, Zuko and Lenetta days of, which they took advantage of. On their days off Zuko and Lenetta would go and hang out with the Freedom Fighters. The five became good friends and they helped people that needed them.
Whenever Jin would come by the shop Zuko and Lenetta made sure to be strictly professional with her; however it seemed she didn't see Zuko's attempts at not starting anything as she would be more and more flirtatious as she came by.
One day Iroh had a day off and he told the two teens that he was going out. Zuko however realized something.
"It's Lu Ten's birthday." He said it as a statement not a question. Lenetta's eyes widened and she put a hand on Iroh's shoulder. "Are you going to be ok, do you want us to ask Pao to take the day off." Iroh patted her hand and smiled at her. "No thank you dear. This is something I need to do on my own." Lenetta and Zuko nodded in understanding and they hugged him tightly. Iroh smiled with tears in his eyes as he hugged them back tightly.
Iroh let them go and told them he would be back that evening. Lenetta and Zuko watched him leave and hoped he would be ok.
"We should do something for whenever he gets back." Lenetta had a determined look on her face as she paced. "But what?" Zuko asked, he held his chin as he thought. "I know we should get him a special tea. Like that one he found in the woods but is actually a tea leaf." Lenetta looked at him and they smiled and nodded.
As they walked to the shop they remembered it was called the White Jade. The Freedom Fighters came to the tea shop that day and Lenetta told them about their plan.
"Do you know of any place that sells rare herbs and plants." Lenetta asked, Jet thought about it and snapped his fingers as it came to mind. "Tai Lung's Herb and Plants shop has many rare plants, she might have the White Jade plant." Lenetta smiled and thanked him. He told her it was no problem he gave her the directions to the shop.
As the Freedom Fighters left she went told Zuko about the shop. They came up with a plan at that moment. Since Lenetta was better at making tea than Zuko, she would go back to the apartment and prepare the water for making the tea and Zuko would go to the shop and look for the White Jade.
Lenetta headed to the back where Pao was and asked him if he had any books on tea making. He took her to a bookshelf that had some books in it. She skimmed through it until she found one titled Rare Teas and How to Make Them. She turned to the White Jade Tea and read the recipe until she memorized it. Once she had it memorized it she told Zuko and they were ready.
A couple hours later their shifts were over and they went to do their respective duties to make this a special night for Iroh.
Lenetta placed the tea pot filled with water on the stove and then set a table cloth over the table and set the cups and saucers on the table. She kept an eye on the water and used a little bit of firebending to control the heat of the water.
Meanwhile Zuko went to Tai Lung's Herb and Plant shop and prayed to Agni that the White Jade would be there.
"Excuse me, do you have a White Jade plant here?" Zuko asked the elderly woman politely.
"Why yes, I do. Do you want the whole plant or some leaves?" Tai Lung asked sweetely.
"How much would the whole plant be?" Zuko asked.
"Ten gold pieces." Tai Lung told him. Zuko's eyes widened as he checked his money pouch. He had brought twenty bronze pieces, 10 silver pieces and 5 gold pieces.
"How much for enough for one pot of tea?" Zuko asked her. Tai Lung quickly did the math in her head.
"One gold piece." Tai Lung told him. Zuko nodded and handed her the gold piece. Tai Lung gave him a small pouch that had a couple White Jade leaves in it.
"Be careful with that young man, you don't want to accidentally break those, it'll ruin the flavor." Tai Lung warned. Zuko nodded and thanked her. Tai Lung smiled as she watched him leave. Such a nice young man, anyone who would scar such a nice young man should be ashamed of themselves.
Zuko quickly got back to their apartment where Lenetta was keeping an eye on the water. He gave her the leaves and she set them in the water and she carefully watched it. Doing exactly as the book told her and as soon as it was ready Iroh walked in.
Lenetta and Zuko turned to look at him and smiled. "Surprise!" Iroh flinched slightly but smiled at the two teens. "What's going on?" Zuko and Lenetta smiled at each other.
"We decided to find a White Jade plant and make the tea for you. Lenetta found a book that taught you how to make rare teas so she read it and after work she came back here and prepared the tea pot while I went to Tai Lung's Herb and Plant shop and bought some leaves. One plant was ten gold pieces so I bought enough for on pot of tea." Once Zuko finished explaining Iroh shed a tear and enveloped Zuko in a strong hug and he urged Lenetta to join them, she did. Iroh cried softly as he felt overwhelming happiness and love for the two teens. They did this for me, I love them so much. He kissed Zuko's temple and Lenetta's forehead and then urged them to the table to enjoy the tea.
Lenetta poured the cups and then sat down. They raised their cups to each other and then drank at the same time. The delightful taste hit their taste buds and they sighed in delight. Iroh thanked them both for this amazing gift. Lenetta proposed a toast.
"To Lu Ten, beloved son and cousin." Iroh, Zuko and Lenetta clinked cups and took another drink. I sure do wish I could have met you. I'm sure were as wonderful as your father. They sat there as they drank their cups just feeling each other's companionship and love. Lenetta and Zuko looked at each other and smiled. This was a good idea.