Aang and Sokka flew back to the southern air temple that very night. Sokka sitting in the saddle consolidating all of his belongings to better accommodate his sister, niece and Toph for the trip to their new home. Aang was at the reins apologizing to Appa as he pushed him faster than normal. Finally they reached the temple and Aang jumped off Appa and ran towards his home.
"Oh, don't worry Sokka I'll help you get unpacked...great," Sokka grumbled to himself.
Aang ran up the cobblestone path to his home. Sped past Toph who was in the sitting room to his bedroom. Katara was sitting at their vanity brushing her beautiful dark hair when she saw Aang in the reflection of her mirror.
"Aang? Aang!" She screamed as she jumped up from her chair and into his arms. They were kissing and talking and hugging and kissing, completely caught up in the bliss of holding each other again. "I can't believe it's really you! Why didn't you tell me you were coming home? I would have had something prepared for you. And- Sokka, you're here too?"
Sokka was smiling at the happiness on his sister and brother-in-laws faces in the doorway. "Yea I'm here too. Where's my niece?"
"Asleep. You both have special permission to give her a kiss though."
"No let her sleep," Aang said, "there's plenty of time for that when she wakes."
"Where's Suki?" asked Katara.
"Oh I left her there so that we can pack our things, we'll meet back up in Republic city," Sokka replied.
"Wait..republic city? Where...or what is that? Aang, do you have something to tell me?" she said indignantly.
Toph suddenly appeared in the crowded bedroom and said with a laugh, "Calm down sugar queen, he's barely had time to get in the door."
Aang didn't feel as comfortable admonishing her and planned on explaining right away when he heard his daughter cry.
"I'll explain in a minute Katara, maybe over dinner?" he said as he sped out of the room to get Kya.
"Did he...did he just tell me to make dinner?" Katara said as Sokka and Toph laughed hysterically.
Aang held his little girl in his lap as he watched her tiny little hands bend the water in his soup. He was surprised at how much he'd missed her. Such a tiny little thing, and he hadn't even know her very long, but she had such a hold on her heart. She was her mother made over, dark hair and bright eyes, there was even something in her personality of Katara as she was very much in control of herself. She never cried for silly reasons, only when it was necessary to communicate with her parents. Aang found that every time he saw Katara in her he loved her all the more.
It had been 2 months since his return home to the air temple, Sokka was briefing Toph and Katara over dinner about the upcoming move, strategizing with Toph for the police force (a position which she readily accepted of course) and getting Katara's opinion on where he and Sukki should move with in the city. When he reached a pause in their discussion Aang jumped in and said, "Katara, I've told them that I will come only if you are willing to move there. I know that it is a bit farther from your father and the southern water tribe...I completely understand if you don't want to," he looked down at the big blue eyes of his daughter and continued, "what I'm saying is that I want to know where you think would be best to raise our family. I can't promise the same safety that we've experienced here in a new republic."
"I think the island sounds like a good idea," she responded, "yes it's safer here, but our children need their father...I don't want you to have to miss those first few months again...and, we'll be near Sokka, Suki and Toph. They're as much my family as the water tribe. It will be good to be around all different benders."
"Yea and I'll keep everything running smoothly, don't worry another minute about it Twinkletoes," added Toph.
"Sure, sure. I just wanted to make sure...wait...children," Aang whipped his body around to see Katara while seamlessly placing Kya in Toph's hands.
Everyone looked at Katara expectantly. Aang with wide eyes.
"Well...oops. I was going to tell you in private Aang...but yes, I just found out myself this morning," she said a proud smile playing on her lips.
Aang rushed over to her and spun her around happily. "That's great news sweetie! I'm so excited!"
"Well I figure we need to keep things going until we get at least one airbender," Katara laughed.
"Seriously...oogies doesn't cover it guys," said Sokka.
"Haha for your sake I hope they have one soon then," laughed Toph as she bounced Kya in excitement.
"We need to go then, before traveling becomes too difficult," said Aang, "is it possible to leave in a week? They should have at least our quarters of the island completed."
"That sounds fine. As long as we're together as a family I don't care where we live," she replied kissing his cheek.
"I miss Sukki!" wailed Sokka throwing his head dramatically on the table.
"Oh good lord. Spare us snoozles," said Toph, but then slightly less abrasively she added, "we can send word today that we'll be there soon though."
"So it's settled," Aang said, putting his arm around his wife's waist as she picked up their daughter, "we leave as soon as possible for republic city."
Next Chapter: The City