Not two months had passed since the beginning of their courtship when Tenzin decided that he would make Pema his wife. Adopting the water bender tradition of his mother he presented her with a betrothal necklace which she readily accepted.

He pulled her into a passionate kiss before leading her up to his home to inform his parents.

It was a whirlwind of happiness, Kya, Bumi and their families had come down for the occasion. Everyone noticed the great change that had occurred with Tenzin. He was himself still, of course, all seriousness, all business, but there was also a new sense of purpose. It was impossible to miss the softness that came into his voice when he spoke to her, and the gentle touches that they shared as they came upon their wedding day.

Aang was happiest of all knowing that his son had found his match in another person; he had great hopes for the continuation of the airbenders, made greater because Pema, having been raised in it, was the embodiment of their culture.

He found his son sitting cross legged towards the edge of Airbender Island on his wedding day. He wasn't meditating like he usually was, rather staring off towards the city and chewing on his bottom lip. Aang approached him and sat down beside him, placing a hand on his knee. Tenzin looked up and smiled a nervous smile at his father who waited for him to speak.

He took a deep steadying breath and said, "I can't believe it's finally here, I've waited 34 years for this day, 34 dad."

Aang smiled widely at his son's excitement, "you've waited a long time to find your soul mate- I'm glad you have. And I'm glad I have the chance to speak with you- Pema is the very embodiment of the spirit of the air benders, as are you. You're my legacy Tenzin…well the three of you are actually…but- the burden of my people falls most evidently on you, and well, I just wanted to tell you that you've done very well. I'm proud of you."

They embraced and Aang watched Tenzin head over to the ceremony location.

They married at the water overlooking Republic City. All of their close friends were there to support them.

The two shy souls exchanged vows quietly having eyes only for each other, and their first kiss as husband and wife was pure and free. You could so easily tell the mutual respect and love that they had for one another.

The first days for the young couple passed in a blur of happiness, darkened only by the continuing decline of Aang's health. Tenzin had already started taking his place in council meetings and instruction. It was absolutely astonishing to Tenzin that his father was able to keep up this pace for as long as he did. He found that even at 34 the demands of all that his father dealt with was a struggle.

He came home to Pema each night, exhausted, and fell into bed next to her. She could only smile, pull the covers over him and kiss his forehead.

Eventually the time came where Aang was no longer able to get out of his room. Katara was perpetually by his side. Holding his hand, trying to ease his pain where she could with her healing powers, but there was nothing she could do. She hid the pain on her face as best she could, but Aang was able to sense it.

It was a bleary Saturday evening when Aang found himself surrounded by his family, sharing a small meal together in the large bedroom. Sokka and Toph were there, as well as Suki, Zuko and Mai. All had been summoned to Republic City to say their final goodbyes to their great friend.

Weakness was such a strange sensation; he thought to himself, his body wanted him to just get up- move- comfort his wife, and put a smile on her face…but it wouldn't listen. The hardest part would be relying on others to make sure she was taken care of, she who had given so much to him over the years, stood by him through everything…

Katara stayed back now, allowing the people who had become her family to have their time too. She allowed herself to watch her brother hang his head as he whispered about some cherished memory that he and her husband shared, she watched Aang's face light up at the memory. She watched Toph try and cope with her emotions by intermittently crushing any pebble she could find to dust. She held back her tears as she watched Zuko break down in front of them, exclaiming that he would be forever in the avatar's debt for what he helped him accomplish…she kept her senses about her and sat completely stone faced, it wasn't until she saw her brother outside of their door, saw him with an arm around her two sons that the impact of what was happening hit her. She was not only loosing the man she had loved since she was a girl, her children were losing a father, her friends a brother. These were her last moments with him.

Aang had been watching her the whole time out of the corner of his eye, all at once her countenance changed, and the tears that stained her cheeks grew larger. He smiled at Suki and accepted her kiss on his cheek, but then asked that he have another moment alone with Katara.

The others immediately obliged and they found themselves alone.

Katara sat next to him and pulled some water from the small basin near his bed, without speaking Aang lifted his hand and warmed the water before she put it back in the basin and soaked a towel in the now warm water, applying it to his head.

"Can I…is there anything else I can do for you Aang?" she said, intentionally avoiding his eyes.

He lifted her chin up to look at her, wiping a tear with his thumb.

"Sweetie, you've done plenty…" he said hoarsely, "I don't really know what to say to you actually- I've thought about this time and again. I don't want to say goodbye, I-I can't…"

This was the first time she had seen him shed a tear and instantly her protective nature kicked in,

"Shh, sh Aang, you don't have to. We've shared so much together- so much life and adventure, and our children- oh Aang they're so wonderful, so like you…"

Aang smiled at this, "if our children have amounted to anything more than silly- it was all because of you." He grimaced a bit, but managed to prop himself up on one elbow and pull Katara towards him.

She supported his shaking arm and paused a moment to look into his eyes before kissing him softly with all the tenderness that 51 years with a person can afford. She held him there for a moment urging herself to remember every detail of this last embrace, and then laid his head down and kissed his forehead again.

They stayed there a moment longer and held each other's hands, novels passed between their eyes, all of their shared lives playing out silently in the others mind. Finally he pulled her hand up to his mouth and laid a soft kiss on it, before smiling at her.

He called outside of the door asking Pema to take Katara out for a bit, to give her a break, and summoned his children to him.

Kya, Bumi and Tenzin surrounded their father's bed. Tenzin at the foot face drawn and head down, Bumi, normally able to make light of any situation, had tears streaming down his face, Kya held her father's hand in hers in a meditative state, waiting for him to speak.

Aang found that his children's presence allowed him an extra burst of strength- as if his ability to perform his last duties as a father were granted by some higher power.

"I'm glad we have this chance to talk," he told his children, "I want you all to know I'm not worried about anything, any work that I have left. The new avatar will be born soon, you all know that the white lotus will be able to locate him or her soon. Tenzin you'll do wonderfully here in republic city. Soon you'll be training the new avatar, and I'm sure I will be able to look forward to many airbender grandchildren that you'll have to train as well," he added with a weak chuckle at the astonished face of his youngest son, "Bumi- you've done great work in the combined forces, and Kya you in the Southern Water Tribe. I want the three of you to know that I am exceedingly proud of you and all that you've accomplished. I have just one request of the three of you- I am only worried about your mother. I know you all have your own lives, and I want you to live them to the fullest…but if you could… This is my fault, leaving her too soon…" a small cough interrupted his speech, and Kya leaned in and held his hand tighter.

"Dad, you know that's not true, you and mom mean so much to us…we'll be around, I promise," she said.

Aang smiled and closed his eyes.

"My beautiful daughter…so like your mother…" he whispered softy.

Kya's eyes widened with tears, and she rose up to kiss her father's forehead.

Kya and Bumi left him in Tenzin's care thinking he should get his rest. Bumi rested a hand on his brother's shoulder on his way out of the room, "We'll go find mom, I think it's about time," he said solemnly.

Tenzin nodded.

When they left Tenzin moved closer to his father, and thinking he was asleep, began to sob, "Father I'm not sure I can do it. You always did so much…"

"Tenzin," Aang breathed cracking his eyes and placing a hand on his son's shoulder, "you can't worry about that, you will accomplish so much and you will do it differently than I did. You have a good foundation…I'm not worried at all. Son, just…you should always listen to Pema- she gives you life. Nothing could have made me happier in my last few months than to see you happy."

Tenzin's eyes filled again with tears, "thank you father."

"Katara?"

"She's coming dad," he said full of concern.

Almost as if on cue his family burst in the room. Katara first, followed by Pema and his siblings. Pema came and stood behind her husband, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder. Katara rushed over to Aang's bedside and held his hand, kissing his forehead.

"Aang, I'm here. I'm here," she repeated softly as his breathing became more labored.

"I- I love you," he said smiling into her blue eyes.

"I love you too, sweetie," she said, and squeezed his hand tighter.

Then the great avatar, surrounded by his family, took his last breath.

Author's Note:

Well guys I just made myself cry reading my own writing... I'm going to need a bit.