Hello wonderful readers! As you can see, I'm updating my story sooner than last time. Much sooner, in fact! Also, you'll find that there's been a time skip in my story. ;) So anyways, I don't own anything in the Avatar universe! Or the Green Day lyrics.

"My beating heart belongs to you,

I walked for miles 'til I found you.

I'm here to honor you.

If I lose everything in the fire,

I'm sending all my love to you." -Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown, "Last Night on Earth"

Two Years Later

Toph's POV

Toph Beifong, now nineteen-years-old, let out a big sigh. She had come so far just to reach this moment.

Toph was standing, bare-footed as usual, at the exit to a building that let out into a courtyard in the Fire Nation royal palace. The dress was, as Katara had described to her, a flowing, sleeveless red dress that ended just above her ankles. Toph had refused to wear one with a train. She, knowing her luck, probably would have just got it tangled up in her feet and would have ended up flat on her face right at the most important moment. Her hair had been done up in a small top knot.

Just as Toph was sure that she would lose her nerve and would have to run away, a tsungi horn started playing. It was Zuko's uncle Iroh that was playing the large instrument.

"That's your cue," Katara whispered to her, giving her a gentle nudge.

"I know, I know," Toph muttered. She began walking slowly out into the courtyard, and with her earthbending sense she realized just how many people were in attendance. It wasn't just she and Zuko's friends and family, but also at least half of the Fire Nation was there.

She loved Zuko, and she knew how much this meant to his country, but really, did there really need to be this many people here? She was glad, however, that Aang, Sokka, Suki, Ty Lee, and Haru were there. Even Mai was there with her new boyfriend. Actually, Mai's boyfriend was one of Toph's original metalbending students, the Dark One. Toph had introduced the two of them after Mai and Zuko had broken up, and they had hit it off quite well.

She reached the steps and climbed up them to a little veranda where Zuko and a fire sage were waiting. She could sense Zuko's eyes on her and the utter feeling of pride and love that he had. Suddenly, all of her nervousness evaporated. In that same moment, though, she had an abrupt flashback.

Six Months Earlier

Toph and Zuko were spending the day together at her metalbending academy, where some of Toph's youngest students were busy showing off their newly-learned metalbending skills for the Fire Lord.

"Zuko," Toph sighed, "are you sure that it'll be okay? You know, me being from the Earth Kingdom and all."

"Of course it will be, Toph. Although, it does help that your family is Earth Kingdom nobility. It probably would have been harder if you weren't," Zuko responded.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. What do you think my parents will say when we tell them?" she asked.

"I mean, I would hope that they'll be happy for you. Besides, you were a major help in stopping the uprisings in Ba Sing Se. I think that they've realized by now that you're someone who can take care of yourself and can make your own decisions," he told her.

"Yeah, thanks Zuko. You always did know how to make me feel better," Toph replied, giving him an affectionate punch in the shoulder.

Present

Toph shook her head to dispel the memory as she reached the top step and took Zuko's hands in hers. That wasn't important right now. This moment was the important thing, and she knew it. The tsungi horn fell silent then and a hush fell over the gathered crowd of people.

"I love you," Zuko whispered to her.

"I love you, too," Toph whispered back.

"Members of our glorious Fire Nation, the valiant Earth Kingdom, and friends from other nations, we are gathered here today for the marriage of our Fire Lord Zuko to Toph Beifong of the Earth Kingdom," the fire sage began.

Toph swallowed hard. This was it. It was really happening. Zuko held her hands tighter, as if reassuring her. It worked. Toph turned her face up toward where his was and gave him a smile.

The fire sage went on to read some ancient Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom marriage texts, especially royal ones. Then, he got to the vows.

The fire sage turned to Zuko first. "Do you, Fire Lord Zuko, promise to hold and love Toph for as long as you both shall live, and even beyond, when the two of you have gone to join the spirits?" he asked.

"I do," Zuko replied, full of conviction.

Now it was Toph's turn. "Do you, Toph Beifong, promise to hold and love Zuko for as long as you both shall live, and beyond, to the time when you shall have both joined the spirits?" he asked her.

"I do," Toph responded happily.

"Then, by the powers invested in me by the spirits, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May I present to you, gathered friends, Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Toph," the fire sage proclaimed in a loud voice that echoed around the courtyard. He placed a small crown in Toph's top knot. A cheer then went up from the people assembled there.

Toph and Zuko then kissed a long, passionate kiss full of love. Toph and Zuko stood there then, holding hands and waving to the assembled crowd. It was easily one of the best days of Toph's life, and she was glad she was getting to share it with the person she loved more than any other in the world.

Their friends came to congratulate them, then. All of them were giving them hugs and telling them how wonderful it was that the two of them were finally married.

Toph smiled and thanked them, but deep down, in the darkest corners of her being, she had a niggling doubt. That doubt was a question. What kind of life was there for a Fire Lady who was a blind earthbender? She wasn't sure, but she knew that the answer to her question would come soon enough.

Thanks for reading! I'm taking my story in a different direction. I have lots of ideas, though, so another new chapter should be coming soon!

~Cori