*alas friends I must finally end this story. its been a wild ride! Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. But don't be saddened! I will be posting another story here very soon. The song used in this is I wanna grow old with you by westlife. and just as an added treat I've included the epilogue at the end. thanks all and I hope to see you all reading and reviewing my next story!*
Katara paced her bedroom in her wedding dress. The ivory bodice hugged her form while the skirt flowed naturally from her hips into a train that followed behind. Her chocolate tresses sat atop her head in many curls that framed Katara's lovely face. Four years after the incident with Ozai, Katara and Zuko were finally tying the knot. Gyatso had graciously agreed to perform the ceremony. Toph was dragging poor Aang with her as her "escort" as she put it. Katara giggled to herself as she took herself in again in the full length mirror by the wall.
Toph had taken a bit of a fancy on Aang, and poor Aang had never really met a girl like Toph and had really no means of handling. Zuko's only advice to the poor boy was, "put your head between your knees and kiss em' good bye friend." The thought of her soon to be husband placed a large smile on Kataras face again. 'Almost time.' A light knock interrupted her thoughts.
"AUNTY TARA!" Ursa squealed as the four year old ran into the waiting arms of her beloved Aunt. She was about three foot six, tallish for her age. Her brown hair was in a partial bun behind her head while the rest hung freely. Her little blue sundress was positively adorable on her. "Ursa! You ready to be the best little flower girl ever!" Katara asked and she nuzzled noses with her. "I practiced really hard!" the four year old exclaimed!
Jet cleared his throat gently from the doorway, "its time Tara." She smiled at her friend and nodded. She and Ursa held hands as they walked downstairs to meet the bridal party. Jet skirted past his wife, not before kissing her cheek. Azula had informed everyone at the rehearsal diner, with Kataras blessing that she was expecting their second child. Suki and Toph smiled at each other as Katara joined them at the base of the stairs. All three girls wore silvery blue knee length dresses. Azula smiled as she took her place ahead of the precession as the maid of honor.
Hakoda came up behind his daughter with a large smile on his face as he took her arm. Katara returned it but then hissed, "I thought you'd be late!" Hakoda chuckled, "I wouldn't miss this for the world." He would not let his daughter see the slight discomfort of his right shoulder as Hakoda held his daughters arm. The doctor said there was very little to be done about his wound, only time would heal. And it was not as bad as it had started with. The music began to play to signal the march. Katara's other hand found her fathers and she gave it a light squeeze, which he returned.
Zuko's heart hammered in his chest as he watched his sister start to walk down the aisle. Jet's supportive arm nudged his back. Toph looked so sweet in her dress, even if she'd pound him into the ground for saying so. Suki smiled at Sokka who stood up with Zuko. The glittering ring on a certain finger did not go unnoticed by Zuko, but he assumed they wanted to wait till after his and Katara's wedding to announce. Suki moved aside, and Zuko felt the wind be knocked out of him. Katara was stunning in her wedding dress. Hakoda stopped just before them and kissed his daughters cheek, happily and a bit reluctantly she handed her over to Zuko. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
They turned to Gyatso who held the largest smile of them all, and knelt before him. "Marriage is a sacred union, where two souls become one. Bound to one another forever. These two souls, Zuko Be Fong and Katara Keanu have asked all here today to witness their union. Zuko do you take Katara to be your wife?" Zuko smiled "I do." "And Katara, do you take Zuko to be your husband?" Katara nodded, "I do."
Gyatso spoke again, "Zuko and Katara have written their own vows, Zuko if you would please begin." Still kneeling Zuko turned to Katara with her hand in his. "Katara, You've made me a better man. Your my other half, my lover, my friend, my soul mate, that which makes me whole, everything that I am is yours." Katara felt a tear escape her eyes. Gyatso turned to her, "and now you Katara."
"Zuko," she had to pause for a breath. "Zuko I've never known anyone more, wonderful and good than you. Your the best thing to ever happen to me. Zuko I was born to love you. I am so proud to be your wife." Katara saw a shimmer of tears in her husbands good eye. They exchanged rings, and turned back towards Gyatso. "Zuko and Katara have exchanged their vows. Now before you all, by the power of the spirits, I pronounce them husband and wife." Everyone cheered, clapped or whistled as Zuko and Katara walked arm an arm down the aisle.
The reception was held in the dining hall. After the brother sister an father daughter dance Zuko stood on the make shift stage. He tapped the mike to get everyone attention. "Uh... Hi." Slight snickers could be heard. "Uh as you know, my now wife and I have been through a lot. The most stressful of which was planning this affair." Again many snickers were heard. Zuko cleared his throat and Toph, Jet, Tiny, Long-shot and The Duke all stood to join him on stage with their respective instruments. "And me and my wife could not find a song for our first dance. Katara, could you please join me up here." Katara stood from the party table and took her husbands outstretched hand.
"Katara I spent a good part of the year writing this song for you. I hope it tells you exactly how I feel." He nodded at the band and they began to play. Katara wrapped her arms around Zuko's shoulder's from behind to allow play his guitar.
"Another day
Without your smile
Another day just passes by
But now I know
How much it means
For you to stay
Right here with me
The time we spent apart will make our love grow stronger
But it hurt so bad I can't take it any longer
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna die lying in your arms
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna be looking in your eyes
I wanna be there for you
Sharing everything you do
I wanna grow old with you
A thousand miles between us now
It causes me to wonder how
Our love tonight remains so strong
It makes our risk right all along
The time we spent apart will make our love grow stronger
But it hurt so bad I can't take it any longer
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna die lying in your arms
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna be looking in your eyes
I wanna be there for you
Sharing everything you do
I wanna grow old with you
Things can come and go I know but
Baby I believe
Something's burning strong between us
Makes it clear to me
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna die lying in your arms
I wanna grow old with you
I wanna be looking in your eyes
I wanna be there for you
Sharing everything you do
I wanna grow old with you"
Katara was weeping slightly as she moved with her husband as he played. Oh how she hoped he was right and they would grow old together. 'And I look forward to the new experiences we'll share together.' Katara thought as she kissed her husband fiercely.
Almost two years later!
Katara woke up late one night. Something had woken her, but she wasn't sure what. She turned slightly to see her husband sleeping peacefully. Deciding not to wake him she rolled over awkwardly over her pregnant belly. Katara swung her legs over the side of the bed. Then she felt it against her bare toes. 'My water broke!'
"Zuko! Zuko wake up! My water broke!" Katara called as she began to pull out her overnight bag. He husband groaned, got up and left the room. As Katara was attempting to put on her shoes she felt her husband take her wrist and place a glass in it. She stared at it for a moment as Zuko got back under the covers. She stood again and dumped the full glass on her husband. "ZUKO I DONT WANT WATER, MY WATER BROKE!" Like lightning Zuko shot up and was throwing a shirt and his sneakers on, "why didn't you say so!" Katara held in her angry retort because a contraction hit her at that very minute.
Zuko aided his pregnant wife down to the car with his cell phone cradled between his shoulder and cheek. "I know its two in the morning Sokka, listen to me. Katara is in labor. YES! Call Dad and Uncle. I'll call Toph and Azula in route... Lu Ten is away with Jun... Alright meet you there!"The family crowded around the baby viewing window. Ursa rubbed her eye as she leaned against her mother who was holding fifteen month old Jet Mitchel. "Mommy why are we here so early?" she whined/yawned. Azula smiled at her tired daughter. "I thought you wanted to meet your new cousin Ursa."
The six year old yawned louder, "I do but doesn't they know its too early. Very rude." The family chuckled at the child's antics as Zuko came out from behind the curtain holding a small pink swaddle. Everyone cooed. Zuko placed his new daughter in the viewing crib marked "Kya" and quickly wheeled his wife to sit beside her. Hakoda wiped away a small tear, while Sokka smiled and gave his wife Suki a one armed hug. "That will be us soon." Suki smiled and leaned into her husbands arm with both hands on her slight baby bump. "Only twice the trouble." Sokka glanced down at his wife confused. Suki smiled sweetly. "Sokka, the doctor said we're having twins!" Sokka gaped at her like a elephant koi before fainting.
Katara almost leapt from her wheelchair if not for her husband keeping her down. They gave the large a group a confused look through the glass. Malie typed into her PDA and held it up to the glass. "Toph was right, He fainted when she told him. Your father is out $500. How much are you out?" Zuko chuckled, "I learned a long time ago not to take Tophs bets." Katara giggled and nodded. She turned to Kya, "she is beautiful Zuko." He nuzzled the top of her head, "like her mother. I love you Katara." She returned the smile "And I love you. Always."