Zuko rubbed his face tiredly and leaned back on his bed. He came back to 3 Oaks because he needed a reprieve from work and Mai. He thought that Mai was too clingy and needy. He wondered if Katara was still here. The two fell in love in high school and after that Zuko left. He felt regret for these past 6 years. How could he explain to Katara the real reason he left. He never did want to leave. His father ran a big business in LA and came from a wealthy background. Unfortunately he found out about Katara and wanted Zuko to end the relationship and basically threatened to disown him if he didn't leave for LA immediately. Mai also came from a wealthy background and the two were an ideal couple. Zuko honestly needed a break from the fast paced lifestyle, however there was another reason he left LA to find his high school sweetheart.
That evening Katara stood in line at Panda Express waiting to order takeout dinner for herself and Lily. Katara told the cashier what she wanted. As she was fumbling with her wallet a picture of Lily fell out without her notice.
"Here you dropped this," a voice said. Katara turned and saw Zuko holding Lily's picture.
"Thank you," she said awkwardly.
After having dinner and giving Lily her bath and then finally getting her to bed katara pulled out an album of random family pictures. There were some pictures with her and Sokka when they were kids,some of Gran Gran, her father, and even her mother when she was alive. She flipped to the part where the photos of her and Zuko were. The pair had met freshman year of highschool and started dating junior year. There were pictures of them having fun with friends, at school dances, and a few romantic ones. There was one where Katara was sitting on Zuko's lap at the park. Their noses were touching and eyes closed. There was another picture of them kissing. This was the last one they took together before Katara had gotten pregnant. While their romance lasted, it was amazing, but the end result was heartache and pain. Lily was the only good result of their love. Zuko was the last person she wanted to see. However her burning question was why Zuko left without an explanation. This might be her only chance to confront him.
Katara saw Zuko during her lunch break. She wasn't ready to really talk to him yet. The two of them made eye contact for a brief moment before looking away. Katara felt that fluttering in her heart. Those lips oh so kissable.
That night Katara was woken by a loud thunder clap. I better go check on Lily she thought. The power was out so Katara grabbed a flashlight and proceeded to Lily's room. Another thunder clap sounded and Katara could hear Lily whimper. She entered Lily's room and sat down on the bed. Lily was under the covers.
"Mommy?" she called out timidly.
Thunder boomed causing Lily to shriek and scramble into her mother's lap.
"I bet you're not scared of anything," Lily said.
"No honey everybody's scared of something or other," Katara said running a hand over Lily's raven hair as she used to do when Lily was a baby.
"Do you think monsters are real?" Lily asked.
"No but I know one thing they would be scared of if they were real," Katara said a grin spreading over her face.
"What?" Lily asked.
"The tickle monster!" Katara started to tickle Lily.
"No, mommy!" Lily yelled giggling trying to escape her mother's grasp.
"I'm gonna get you," Katara teased, then blew a raspberry on Lily's stomach.
After the tickle fight mother and daughter were worn out.
"Ok, it's very late and we need our sleep," Katara said.
"Can you stay with me?" Lily asked snuggling closer to her mother.
"Sure we can sleep together for the rest if the night," Katara said. Lily was wrapped in her mother's arms.