Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA... yada... yada...yada...

Chapter 17

Later that evening, Katara was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner. Taking one last look at the meal she had prepared for them, then smiling. It was perfect. Everyone had left the house except her and Tenzin, and wouldn't be returning until tomorrow. Now, it was time to get ready for their dinner with Aang. She was nervous and excited all at the same time. Tenzin sat playing on the floor, when Katara entered their room. " Come on Sweetie. We have to get ready for dinner." She said to her son, smiling.

" Okay, momma." Tenzin replied, then stood up.

Katara dressed Tenzin in one of his best outfits, then began to get herself ready. Putting on one of the finest gowns that she had bought while shopping with her family in town. It was made of pale green silk and clung to her shapely figure in all the right places. Showing just enough cleavage, but leaving a little something for the imagination. After inspecting herself in the full length mirror, she sat down and applied a touch of makeup. Just enough to accentuate her facial features and not look made up. Then sat back and smiled at the finished product. Pleased with the results, she stood up and took Tenzin by the hand. Then walked in to the living room to wait for Aang to arrive.

After finally deciding to wear his robes that draped over one shoulder and exposed part of his chest and other shoulder, Aang finished getting ready. Then left the house and started walking toward Katara's place with anticipation. Stopping to purchase a bouquet of flowers on the way. He had been looking forward to dinner all day. When he arrived, he straightened his robes then knocked on the door. He was nervous, and his palms were sweating. Katara answered the door, and smiled at him.

" Please, come in." Katara said.

" Thank you." Aang replied, smiling. Then entered and stepped in to the living room. Noticing the child sitting on the couch smiling at him. " Well, hello Tenzin. What a pleasant surprise." He said to the boy with a smile. Then looked at Katara, slightly confused.

" Hi, Aang!" Tenzin shouted with glee. Then got up and ran over to Aang, hugging his legs fiercely.

" That's enough, Tenzin." Katara said to the boy, smiling. Then pried him off of Aang's legs. " Shall we eat dinner?" She asked Aang with a smile.

" Ummm... Sure, lead the way." He replied. Obviously, still a bit confused. " Oh, these are for you." He added, as he held out the bouquet of flowers toward Katara.

" Thank you, they're beautiful." She replied with a shy smile. A slight blush forming on her cheeks. Then she placed the flowers in a vase, and carefully set them in the center of the table.

" You're welcome." Aang said with a smile, blushing.

" Please, have a seat." Katara said, then gestured toward one of the chairs at the table. " Tenzin, you can sit across from Aang." She added, looking at her son. Then walked over to the food warming on the stove and began to serve dinner. " I thought we could start with some soup." She told them, smiling.

" As long as it's not stewed sea prunes." Aang said, smiling. Then laughing nervously.

" Don't worry. It's not." Katara reassured him. A soft smile forming on her lips. After serving soup to each of them, she sat down at the head of the table. Then picked up her napkin to open it, so she could place it over her lap.

Having become quite bored, Tenzin decided to tease his mother. And sent a wisp of air towards her, blowing her napkin out of her hand and across the room. Where it landed softly on the floor.

" Tenzin, what did I tell you about that!" Katara scolded him, frowning.

" Sorry momma." Tenzin replied softly, then lowered his head.

Hearing the words that escaped her son's mouth, Katara froze with fear. As Aang's spoonful of soup fell from his hand and hit his bowl with a clatter. Spilling the soup from his bowl on to the table. Aang stared at the boy sitting across the table from him, having witnessed Tenzin's discreet airbending maneuver. A look of shock on his face, and unable to speak.

" Tenzin could you go to our room..." Katara anxiously started to say to her son, but was cut off mid sentence.

" I know, I know. So you two can talk." Tenzin said, annoyed. Then got up and walked out of the room.

Aang's eyes following him the entire way. Still in shock and speechless, he pointed at the boy's retreating figure, then turned towards Katara and pointed at her, and then himself. His eyes open wide and mouth agape.

Katara just nodded, then lowered her head. Not knowing what to say. 'This is not how things were supposed to go.' She thought.

Aang's thoughts began racing. 'He's my son. Mine and Katara's son. No wonder he looked so familiar to me. He looks just like I did at his age. He must be around three years old. That's why Iroh acted so strangely when he saw us together at the tea shop. He must know that Tenzin's my son. And Sokka... he wanted to get away from me so quickly when I ran into them in town.' He thought to himself. Stunned with the realization of it all.

" Aang... I know you must be angry." Katara said softly. Bringing him back to reality.

" Angry? Really, Katara?" Aang asked. Staring at her dumbfounded. " What could I possibly have to be angry about!" He shouted at her. Causing Katara to flinch with his sharp words.

" Please, Aang... Keep your voice down. Tenzin doesn't know yet." Katara replied, quietly.

" What!" Aang shouted. " What do you mean he doesn't know!" He added quietly, but just as angry.

" I wanted to tell you first. To see how you reacted to the news." Katara said, quietly. " And after seeing your reaction, I'm glad I waited!" She added, irritated.

" How did you expect me to react, Katara?" Aang asked her incredulously. " I just found out that I have a son, that no one bothered to tell me about!" He added, angrily. " How many people know about this?" He finished. Glaring at her.

" Just my family... and our friends." Katara said softly.

" You've got to be kidding me! Everyone has known all of this time, and no one told me!" Aang said with disbelief. " No wonder your father glared at me when Kuei said I should consider having children!" He yelled, exasperated.

"Sssshhhh... What are you talking about?" Katara asked him, confused.

" Nothing. Forget about it." Aang replied, irritated.

" Aang... I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid." Katara said softly. " I had no idea why you left four years ago." She added. " I thought you didn't want anything to do with me. Much less, a family!" She finished. Throwing her hands up in the air in frustration.

" I would have been there, Katara. Been there for you... through all of it." Aang replied, angrily.

" How was I supposed to know that?" Katara said icily. Glaring at him.

Aang didn't reply. Her words cut through him like a knife. She was right. He was the one that left. Without telling her a thing. How was she supposed to know that he still loved her, and wanted more than anything to be with her? To marry her, and have a family with her? " I'm sorry, Katara. I wish I would have known." He said softly, breaking the silence.

" Why? So you could do the right thing, and own up to your mistake?" Katara replied coldly. Then looked away from him. " You have no idea what it was like, Aang. Being pregnant, and alone. Having to leave my village, and my family." She said softly. The resentment showing through her words.

" I'm so sorry, Katara. You're right. I couldn't possibly know what it was like. But, I would have been there with you, if I would have known. Not because I was owning up to my mistake, but because I love you and wanted to be there. For you, and our child." Aang said softly. Then reached across the table and took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. Katara looked at him. Her expression softening. Knowing that he meant what he just said. " It's my fault. For leaving you." He added, sincerely. " It was the biggest mistake of my life, Katara. Please... forgive me." He finished softly.

Katara just stared at him. The tears welling up in her eyes, as he gazed at her lovingly. She felt like she was falling in love with him, all over again. Then he stood up, and pulled her to her feet. Closing the distance between them, he kissed her lips softly. Then whispered in her ear, as he pulled her tightly into an embrace. " I love you, Katara. Always have, always will."