1Sorry for the long wait, guys!

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Chjapter 20: rejections and Acceptances

Zuko stared at Mai for a minute. "What?"

Mai sighed. "I'm sorry, Zuko. It's just that I'm not ready yet. I'm not the marrying type!"

Zuko shook his head in diselief. "Well, that ewas a waste of tyime, then."

"What?"

"Sitting in front of the mirror rehearsing my proposal." Zuko answered. "But hey, I'm not the first to be rejected, right?"

"I'm not rejecting you, I'm just saying 'Not yet'." Mai insisted. "I do want to marry you, just not now."

Zuko was silent for a few minutes. He sighed. "Fine. You know, I was going to give you a gold engagement bracelet, but I can see now, I wated my time."

Mai just stared at him. "Zuko, I'm not breaking up with you."

"I'll see you around." Zuko said, ignoing Mai. "I have a meting to get to."

Mai watched Zuko walk off. She groaned and threw her head back.

XXXXXXXXXX

Hakoda headeed to the guest room where je aned Sokka were sharing. Sokka and Katara were playing a cards game.

"Hey, Dad." Katara greeted.

"Sokka, Katara, I need to tell you two ssomething." Hakoda said in a businesslike tone. He sat on the bed. Sokka and Katara looked interested. Hakoda sighed. "Ever since I lost oyur mother, I thought I'd never fall in love again.But then I met someone."

Sokka raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"

"Do you know Ursa? Zuko's mother?" Hakoda asked. Sokka and Katara nodded. "Well...it looks like she and I are going to become more than friends./"

"Meaning?" Sokka asked, confused.

Katara rolled her eyes. "They're dating, Sokka."

"Who?"

"Dad and Zuko's mom!" Katara replied, exasperated. "Spirits, you are slow sometimes!"

"Wait a minute/..." Sokka turned to Hjakoda. "You're in love with a firebender?"

Hakoda nodded. "She's really nice. You two will love her."

Katara smiled. "I'm sure we will. Ursa seems like a nice lady."

Hakoda smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Katara. Ursa is a nice lady."

Sokka was flabbagasted. "Wait, what?"

"What?" Katara raised her arms.

"She's Fire nation!" Sokka pointed pout.

"So? Suki's Earth Kingdom." Katara retorted. "Look, Sokka, Zuko signed a treaty with both water Tribes, and the Earth Kingdom. What's the big deal?"

"It's just weird! We just finished the war against the Fire nation." Sokka admitted.

"I know it's hard to accept, Sokka." Hakoda stepped in. "You'll get used to me and Ursa dating."

Sokka sighed. "Yeah...maybe."

"Sokka, don't you think that after Dad and Ursa have been through during the war, they deserve happiness?" Katara asked. "They've been through so much."

Sokka thought about that for a few minutes. He gave in. "Yeah. I guess they do." He smiled. "I'm happy for you, Dad."

"Thank you, Sokka." Hakoda smiled and held out his arms. "Come here."

Sokka and Katara walked closer to their dad. Hakoda continued. "You know I wouldn't do something like this without consulting you first. You two are my first priority."

Katara hugged her father. "Thanks, Dad. We know."

"Yeah." Sokka agreed. He hugged Hakoda as well. "But if you two get married, I am not calling Ursa 'Mom'!"

All three laughed.

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