A/N:

I'm back

Part 4:

Three Years Later….

"You look lovely today, Chisya." Katara said as she saw the young girl approach her with a warm smile on her face.

Bowing to the Queen Mother, "Thank you, your grace. Is Lu-Shin busy? I came by with a lunch I made for him."

Katara smiled at the girl and told her to follow her so they could find him together. The two talked about the wedding preparations they were making in a few months. It would take place before Lu-Shin's coronation so that they'd both be crowned on the same day. Chisya turned out to be the perfect girl for Prince Lu-Shin. Katara had noticed after returning to the palace from the academy that her son had been focused solely on becoming Fire Lord and nothing else. It worried her that her son had no desires outside of the role he'd serve but Chisya, ever since she had been courting Lu-Shin, Katara saw a difference in her son. A good difference. He seemed to really like Chisya and she could definitely see that Chisya liked her son. She prayed for a beautiful marriage between the two of them and was thrilled to soon be welcoming Chisya as her daughter-in-law.

Finding Lu-Shin practicing his firebending in the courtyard while his grandfather critiqued his movements, Chisya beamed at the sight of him and Katara smiled at the glee on the girl's face.

"Lu-Shin!" Chisya called to him and waved to him.

Distracted from his training, Lu-Shin looked over at Chisya and smiled, waving back at her. A towel was thrown over his head.

"Focus, boy." His grandfather told him while holding his little sister on his shoulders. "The women can wait. I need you to master these moves in the next week. You're behind on your firebending training."

Lu-Shin looked to his grandfather and bowed, "Yes, grandfather."

Katara and Chisya watched with delight as Lu-Shin repeatedly did the same moved to appease his grandfather. When Ozai was finally appeased, he allowed the prince to go meet with his betrothed. Both the Regent and Queen Mother smirked as they saw Lu-Shin kiss Chisya on the cheek as she offered him the meal she prepared for him to eat for lunch.

"How about you two eat in the gardens? It's a lovely day for a picnic." Katara told them.

Chisya nodded as Lu-Shin gave her his arm to escort her to the gardens. When the young couple was gone, Katara saw Ozai approach her with their daughter playfully patting his head while sitting behind his neck and receiving a kiss on the lips from him. She smiled at her as she placed one hand on his face and gazed lovingly at him.

"Four more months and you'll be able to live leisurely." Katara told him.

Ozai smirked at her, "Bold of you to assume I won't continue to aid my grandson as he becomes Fire Lord."

Katara sighed, "What about the villa in the west? You've already bought the deed to the place after I told you not to."

Ozai sighed as he pulled Yumiko from off his shoulders and set her on her feet. "Dear, I will serve my grandson as a governor of the western province."

"You'll what?"

"Look, I want to be gone of this place. Too many prying eyes and no freedom to unwind like I'd like to." Ozai told her.

Katara looked away from him to her daughter and picked her up in her arms, receiving a loving hug from the little girl. "Ozai-"

"Don't 'Ozai' me, Katara. You told me yourself that while we may never get married, you'd treat me like a wife would her husband, did you not say that to me?" Ozai raised a brow at her.

Groaning, "Ozai, I never agreed to leave my son behind."

Ozai looked her over, "Maybe years of being a widow has made you forget but a wife always follows her husband's lead and we're not abandoning Lu-Shin. We'll see him periodically."

"Fine, Ozai." Katara pouted.

Kissing her forehead, Ozai patted her hair and grinned at her. "I'll take you out sometime this week. We haven't been out in a while."

Nodding her head as he caressed her hair, "Alright."

"See you for dinner, just us tonight?"

Katara nodded, "I'll have the caregivers take Yumiko for the night."

…..

Lu-Shin was pacing back and forth in his study when his grandfather showed up, eyeing him funny.

"What is this?" Ozai asked the boy. "I know that walking back and forth shit. Your mother does it every time something goes wrong. What's going on?

Lu-Shin slowed his pacing and sighed, "I kissed Lady Chisya on the lips during the picnic and now she's freaking out, going to tell her parents. I'm in so much trouble. We're not even married yet."

Ozai looked at his grandson like he was stupid. This is why he told Katara to let him send a concubine to the boy's room when he turned thirteen like he did with Zuko. He needed to learn some things about being a man and being with a woman. Now, this boy was clueless and hopeless. Sighing, Ozai walked over to his grandson and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Look at me, Lu-Shin." Ozai said in a calm voice. "You remember the 'Talk' I gave you when you turned thirteen?"

"The 'Talk' about sex?" Lu-Shin swallowed hard.

Nodding, "I was going to have a concubine teach you first hand and give you your first experience of being with a woman but your mother talked me out of it. You turn sixteen in a few months and will be Fire Lord soon. There has never been a virgin Fire Lord in our entire history and I'm not about to let that happen under my watch." Ozai told him. "Now, don't tell your mother I'm doing this. She'll have my head for this."

"For what?" Lu-Shin was confused.

"For letting you spend the next two days locked in a room with a concubine."

Lu-Shin's eyes widened, "Really?"

Ozai nodded.

Lu-Shin chuckled before he suddenly paused. "But wait…what about Chisya?"

Ozai sighed and rolled his neck, "What about her? You've told me yourself that you only see her as a good friend. She'll be your wife and that's what we agreed to. You're allowed Concubine and Consorts, Lu-Shin."

"But my mom-"

"Your mother can't dictate the private life of the Fire Lord." Ozai told him. "As for Chisya, you're only duty to her is to have your children with her and to respect her as your equal at court. You don't have to be faithful to her nor do you have to love her."

Lu-shin sighed and nodded, "Okay but just keep mom from finding out."

"Trust me, Lu-Shin. I have more to lose than you if she finds this out." Ozai told him.

Lu-Shin scoffed, "Mom will chop your-"

Ozai side eyed the boy. "It won't come to that."

It was the following morning and Ozai woke in bed with Katara, his larger form curled around her smaller frame. He lived for mornings like these. Waking up with his waterbender in his arms, it was his favorite. Not often did he get to spend the entire night with her as they were still forced to be discreet with their relationship and not flaunt it as the Fire Sages had said. However, Ozai never cared what those old bastards thought.

As he sat up in bed and caressed the bare skin of Katara's back, grinning as she stirred. He heard her moan a little before turning her head in his direction and fluttered her eyes open. When her blue eyes were on his, he moved his hand into her hair and he smiled at her. Her lips formed into a small grin before she shut her eyes back and snuggled into her pillow.

"You were insatiable last night, Ozai." Katara told him. "I think I'll be sore for days."

Laying back down in bed, Ozai snuggled into her and smirked. "We rarely get to spend time together ever since you stepped down as regent. Anytime we do get to spend time together, I lose control and find myself becoming almost primal with you. I can't help myself, you're just too desirable, even more so since you gave me Yumiko." He ran his hand through her hair as he spoke softly to her. "I thank Agni everyday for getting to have a woman like you by my side."

Smiling as she reopened her eyes, Katara reached for his face and cupped it as she moved forward to kiss him. He kissed her back and began pushing her into the bed. Her legs moved to wrap around her as they were about to have an encore of their previous night together. However, a loud knock came at their door before it was pushed open and in hurried Zhu-Shang. Ozai furrowed his brows at the servant while remaining on top of Katara, who was trying not to be embarrassed at being caught like this.

"Your grace, there's been an incident." Zhu-Shang stated. "Lady Chisya has asked to see you both."

Ozai mentally swore under his breath as Zhu-Shang left.

Dressed and out of bed, Katara was helped with her topknot by Ozai. She assured him that they'd have some more time tonight since he had taken the day off from his duties. When he placed the hairpin he had gotten her last year for her birthday, Katara turned to him and smiled as she stepped on her tippy toes to kiss him.

Walking with Katara on his arm, Ozai saw Chisya pacing around the private lounge room of the Fire Lord's domain, it annoyed him. Not only was he dealing with being interrupted from a morning love session but he had to deal with pacing. He couldn't stand pacing.

"Lady Chisya, what's wrong?" Katara asked as she approached the young girl.

Stopping in her tracks, Chisya bowed to the queen mother and regent. "I'm sorry to bother you both but there is something serious I need to discuss with the two of you."

Ozai sighed, "Is this about the kiss?"

Chisya blushed, "So he told you about that?"

Rolling his eyes, "There is nothing wrong with a kiss. You two will be married in a few months."

"I think we should call off the engagement." Chisya said.

Both Katara and Ozai were taken aback.

"And why would you do that?" Ozai was confused.

Katara saw the girl look away from them and then sniffle. She knew something was up.

"I don't think Lu-Shin actually wants to get married." She said.

Katara went to the young girl and placed her hand on her shoulders, giving an assuring smile to the girl. "I know for a fact that my son loves you very much. I've never seen him look so happy until you came along."

Tearing up, "Then why is he held up in his rooms with another woman?"

Katara's eyes widened.

Oh shit! Ozai hissed.

Storming to her son's chambers, Ozai tried to stop the angry mother from interrupting her son from what he was doing. He promised his grandson two days of being with the concubine so that he could learn how to be a man with a woman. However, it seemed his mother was going to ruin all of that. He had to somehow distract her from cockblocking her son.

"Oh my fuck!" Ozai yelped as he threw himself into the wall.

Katara stopped her marching as she heard the man behind her and turned around to see him leaning against the wall holding his chest. Her angry expression switched to one of concern and she hurried to him.

"Ozai, what's wrong?!" She panicked.

Wincing as he slid to the floor, "My chest. It's killing me."

Katara quickly uncorked her water skin that was always attached to her hip, she bent a glove of water on her hands and cut open his robes to look at his chest. When she got to his bare skin, she placed her gloved hand there to see what was wrong. As she examined him, she saw nothing out of the normal aside from a small blood clot that she easily removed. Sighing as she looked up at him, seeing he had broken into a sweat a little, Katara told him that they needed to get him to his chambers so he could rest.

After having the guards help her get Ozai to his chambers, Katara did a full examination and saw he was alright. She was about to make her way back to see her son and have a word with him when Ozai grabbed her hand, begging her not to leave him.

"Ozai, you look fine." Katara told him. "I need to go see Lu-Shin."

"I know. I know. But please, wait till I'm better, then you can go see him. Okay?" Ozai said as held her hand tight.

Katara could see Ozai was worried and sighed as she agreed to stay with him till he felt better.

The following day came and as soon as Ozai was better, Katara marched her way back to her son's chambers with Ozai following behind her. He tried to tell her not to be so harsh on him but Katara was furious. She couldn't believe Lu-Shin was locked up in his chambers with another woman for two days. Zhu-Shang reported that his servant claimed he had been in the room with a concubine for nearly two days. It unnerved her. What was her son thinking?

Banging on his bedroom door, "Open up, Lu-Shin! Right this instant!"

Ozai sighed as he shook his head when they heard his grandson trip up and yelp before coming up to the door.

"Mom, I'm busy right now." Lu-Shin said in an unstable voice.

"If you don't open this door now, Lu-Shin, I will freeze it and kick the door down! Now open up or else!" Katara screamed.

Lu-Shin reluctantly opened the door, cracking it just a little, "Yes, Mom?"

Katara folded her arms and glared at him. "What are you doing, Lu-Shin?"

"What am I doing?" Lu-Shin grinned awkwardly in the way his father did and glanced at his grandfather to help him out.

Ozai sighed and palmed himself, "Katara, how about we give him a chance to get himself together and wait out here?"

Katara looked over her shoulder at him and scowled dangerously, "This is my son, Ozai. MY SON! YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!" She growled viciously.

Lu-Shin yelped and shut the door as he saw his grandfather get fussed at.

Katara went back to banging on the door, "OPEN THIS DOOR!"

Ozai backed up as he watched Katara bend water from her waterskin and ice over the metal bolts of the door before kicking the door down just like she said she would. It was probably best he got out of here before the truth was revealed. He heard a woman scream after Katara entered the room and he flinched when he heard a thud followed by the shattering of glass.

"It wasn't my fault!" Lu-Shin told him mother. "Grandpa told me he didn't want me to be a virgin when I took the throne! He said there's never been a virgin Fire Lord!"

Damn that boy! Ozai hissed as he shook his head.

"OZAI!"

"Shit!" Ozai turned to get the hell out of there but before he could grab the doorknob of the chambers, his body stiffened. "Fuck!"

From there, Ozai was dragged back to Lu-Shin's bedroom.

….

Natsuki couldn't stop laughing. He thought this was too funny. There had been plenty of times where the queen mother had gotten upset with his pal and the two would be at odds but he had never witnessed any evidence of physical assault from either of them. Not until today. Everyone was curious about the large hand print of his face and knew there was only one person that could have done it. It made them wonder if crossing the queen mother was a wise move on anyone's part. Especially when they saw the future Fire Lord enter with a handprint on his face too. The meeting was kept short and brief. However, when the meeting let out, a council member approached Prince Lu-Shin telling him to learn to stand his ground with his mother or it would be her ruling the country rather than him.

Heading to the office to start up on some work for the day, Lu-Shin listened to his grandfather and his grandfather's friend talk about his mother. Apparently, his grandfather felt remorse for what he had done but Lu-Shin couldn't help but scoff at this.

Chuckling as he settled into the sofa of the office, Natsuki tilted his head back and eyed the prince. "Tell me, your highness, how was it being with a woman for the first time?"

Lu-Shin looked up and saw both Natsuki and his grandfather looking at him to respond. He blushed and looked away.

"It was good, I guess." Lu-Shin said in an almost whisper.

"Good?!" Natsuki looked at the boy like he said something off the wall.

Ozai scoffed, "I didn't get bloodbended and slapped by your mother for a 'good' time. That damned whore had better been better than good, Lu-Shin."

Sighing as he buried his head in the fold of his arms, "It was great. I never felt anything like it."

Natsuki smirked, "See, now that's what I'm talking about."

"I hoped you learned plenty with the woman." Ozai said. "That way you can please Chisya properly like a man should."

Lu-Shin lifted his head, "Chisya is mad at me."

"So what?" Ozai snorted. "Your mother is pissed with me but you think that'll be the end of us? How many fights have your mother and I been in over the years?"

Lu-Shin rubbed his neck awkwardly, "More than I can count?"

"Exactly and do you think that's stopped your mother from slipping her way into my rooms at night after the palace has all gone to sleep?"

"EW! I don't want to hear about that!" Lu-Shin covered his ears.

Rolling his eyes, "My point is, women get mad at us, we make it up to them and then they forgive us. It's a never ending cycle. Hell, it happens the other way around too, they only need to throw sex at us and we forgive them." Ozai explained to his grandson.

Lu-Shin sighed, "So I just need to make it up to Chisya? What about mom, what am I supposed to do with her?"

Ozai told his grandson to allow him to deal with his mother. He had a plan.

Katara was sprinkling some plant food into the orchet that she had been caring for over the years in the queen mother's palace. Zhu-Shang hurried over to her and whispered in her ear to tell her Ozai was here. The queen mother scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Turning around, Katara saw her lover enter her sunroom and stop just a foot in front of her. "What is it, Ozai?"

"You're going to speak to Lady Chisya and tell her Lu-Shin is going to be Fire Lord and he can do whatever the hell he wants to do. Understood?"

Furrowing her brows, "Excuse me?" Katara looked at him like he was crazy.

Ozai returned the look, "Did I stutter?"

"Oz-"

"Listen, woman, you've got a lot of nerve imposing on how I choose to teach my grandson about the birds and the bees. This is how I taught his father and how my father taught me. You and Lady Chisya need to accept that he is a man with desires now and he will do what he pleases with whom he pleases, understood?" Ozai furrowed his brows as he wore a harsh expression.

Katara was taken aback by the tone Ozai was getting with her. He never really spoke to her that way. Especially not when he was the one that should be asking for her forgiveness.

Seeing the woman was a bit speechless, Ozai came upon her and grabbed her by the chin, lifting her gaze up to him. "I asked you a question, woman. Now answer me."

"Y-yes." Katara said as she couldn't seem to get a read for what was going on. "I understand."

Smirking, "Good girl." Ozai kissed her lips and pulled away. "I'll see you for dinner. Wear something sexy. You're on the menu."

Katara stood utterly lost for words as Ozai turned to leave without saying another word. She turned to Zhu-Shang, who was equally confused.

"What just happened, your grace?" Zhu-Shang asked.

"I-I don't know." Katara pulled her hair behind her ear and looked back to where Ozai had strolled out casually. "But find me something sexy to wear for dinner."

Later that night, Zhu-Shang listened to the queen mother call out the regent's name as she begged him to have mercy on her. There was a thud and a crash and Zhu-Shang was tempted to check on them but remembered how thirty minutes ago she made that mistake and caught sight of what they were doing. It seemed as if the queen mother was the one trying to appease the regent rather than the other way around.

The following morning, Lu-Shin was approached by his mother and half expected her to swat him with her hand. However, it seemed she had a bit of a limp and needed to hold onto Zhu-Shang's arm in order to steady herself on her feet. He also noticed there were teeth marks in her neck that she tried to hide with her hair being worn mostly down and she looked rather exhausted. His eyes looked away from her as he figured his grandfather might have something to do with that.

"Mother." Lu-Shin bowed to her.

Katara looked at her son with a weary expression, "We need to sit and talk, Lu-Shin. Just you and me."

Lu-Shin nodded.

Sitting on his patio with his mother and Jee providing them tea with snacks, Lu-Shin sighed to himself as his mother cleared her throat.

"Your grandfather told to the truth of the situation. While you care for Chisya, you don't love her…I must admit, I'm a bit disappointed." Katara sighed as she looked down at her tea. "All I've ever wanted for you is to have what me and your father did, which was love. I can't imagine waking up beside someone that I did not love wholeheartedly."

Lu-Shin sighed, "I didn't want you to know. Chisya's nice and all, a pretty girl and everything but…she doesn't spark anything between us. She's like a friend which is better than being strangers. I can live with that but mom…you can't get in the way of me seeing other women. I'll be my own man and I don't want to become the laughing stock because my mother is overly opinionated about my life. You have to let go of me. I'm not your little boy anymore." Lu-Shin told her.

Katara felt a little hurt by this but knew he was right, so she nodded as he took her hand into his, giving it a squeeze.

"I love you, mother. You and grandfather have been amazing in my life. I know you two want the best but my future as Fire Lord, a husband, and a father is for me to decide. You'll have to accept that."

A few tears formed in her eyes as she looked at her son, cupping the side of his face with her other hand and looking at him somberly. "You are my precious son, Lu-Shin. The child I had with a wonderful man that I wish you could have known. But you have always been so much more than that from the moment I conceived you. You were always this nation's prince and future. Something far greater than just the child of a former peasant waterbender. You were your father's legacy and I have protected you and raised you as such. I just wish to love you as my baby boy but you're right, you're becoming a man, and I have to accept that. Even if I don't always agree with your choices."

Lu-Shin wiped his mother's tears away, "I'm sorry, mother. I don't want to see you cry like this."

"Don't take it so personally, Lu-Shin." Ozai waltzed out onto the patio and placed his hand on his grandson's shoulder while eyeing the waterbender. "Your mother is a tearbender."

Katara wiped her tears, "You really know how to piss me off, don't you?"

"They say it's the ones you love the most that really get under your skin. So admit it, you love me." Ozai said playfully.

Katara rolled her eyes and rose from her seat, "I'm going to go see Yumiko. I don't have time for you now, Ozai."

"Love you, dear." Ozai called after her.

….

"Queen mother." Chisya bowed to her future mother-in-law.

Katara gestured for her to come over to her and help her look after the many orchids that were in her care. The young Fang girl did so and smiled as the queen mother handed her a pitcher of water. As the two of them watered and fed the plants, Katara told the girl that she had a word with Lu-Shin about the consort she found him in the company of. She told her it was his grandfather's idea of educating and preparing him for what his duties as a husband would be. While she was against the method used, she believed the two meant well and she didn't want the marriage to be called off because they were silly men.

Watering the blue orchid, Chisya sighed. "My mother tried to tell me something similar. I want to trust that it will not happen again but my mother and father tell me that such is not the case for women in my position."

"Such was the case for me and Lu-Shin's father." Katara pointed out.

"Yes but not everyone is so lucky, your grace." Chisya sighed and looked down at her hands. "My mother told me to suck it up because at least I'd be Fire Lady and that's all that should matter."

Katara sighed. No wonder Zuko did not want to marry her. Mai was so formal and cold. Was there any love in her at all? Even for her precious daughter? Katara felt there had to be. What mother wouldn't love a kind girl like Chisya? Even she had come to care greatly for the young girl as she would become her daughter-in-law.

Sighing, "Chisya, I cannot say what my son will be like as you two marry and live your lives out together. I cannot say he will not take concubines or have lovers outside of you. I would hope he does not and I will encourage him not to but he will be Fire Lord and neither of us will have much a say. But I promise, as your mother-in-law, if my son wrongs you or disrespect you as his wife in anyway, I will be there to deal with him." Katara told her. "I love Lu-Shin but I understand he's grandfather is the one that's been teaching him and I don't agree with everything his grandfather has to say about these things. So, know that I will not tolerate you being mistreated."

Chisya smiled at this, "Thank you, your grace."

The wedding was a day away and Katara felt it was her responsibility to make sure everything was perfect as her son didn't care too much and Chisya was far too timid to speak up. Ozai got on her case for taking over things but she wasn't listening to him. The two of them had been bumping heads for weeks because he wanted another baby and she was not ready. She had to deny him access to her bed chambers and from meeting with her alone because he attempted to change out her herbal tea that prevented conception. She caught him and kicked her out of her palace while he was still wrapped in the sheets. The betrayal she felt and the embarrassment he endured caused yet another drift between them. Not that any expected it to last long as fighting was common between them.

"Move it a little to the left." Katara told the servants as her personal servant leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"His highness is here, your grace." Zhu-Shang told her.

Katara sighed and rolled her eyes as she saw Ozai approaching her.

"We're practically married and you treat me so cruel, Katara. I'm truly hurt." Ozai said to her as he was upon her.

Pulling her fan out, Katara fanned herself and averted her gaze from him. "I don't have time for your shit, Ozai. What do you want?"

"Look, I'll admit I was wrong to try and force another child on you if you'll admit that was fucked up leaving me naked outside your palace?" Ozai said.

Katara cut her eyes to him and scowled viciously. "You're trying to knock me up after I deliberately told you I don't want any more children!"

"Is that for the moment or-"

"Ozai! I said I don't want any more children!"

"But we have rooms to fill up!" Ozai got irritated.

Katara looked at him in disgust, "You want me to fill those rooms up?!"

"I want 'us' to fill those rooms up." He tried to say it as if it made things any better.

Katara shoved her finger in his chest, "The only way we're having another child is if you carry them to term."

Ozai raised a brow at her, "Sweetheart, that's impossible."

"Then I guess it's not happening." Katara scoffed. "You're not ruining this figure another time. I've worked too hard getting back in shape."

"And you've done a marvelous job, dear. You look amazing."

Fuming, "Ozai, get out of my face before I lose it."

Ozai kissed her forehead before skulking off and Zhu-Shang chuckled.

"I wonder where the baby fever is coming from."

"I wonder the same." Katara folded her arms.

The wedding was a hit and Katara cried happily as she watched her son wed his wife, followed by the two of them being crowned Lord and Lady of the nation. It was truly a wonderful event and as the reception took place, Katara was approached by Mai and her husband. They both greeted her with a bow before cutting right to the chase.

"My daughter told me what you said." Mai said. "It was unexpectedly kind."

"Unexpectedly as it may be to you, it was never my intention to ever be anything but kind to your daughter." Katara told the noblewoman.

Seeing his wife wanted to say something witty back, Nobleman Fang thanked the Queen Mother for being kind to their daughter and that he looked forward to becoming a grandfather. As the nobleman talked up how he was sure their children would have a happy marriage, Ozai came up beside Katara and placed his arms around her waist. The two nobles greeted him and he smirked his annoyed waterbender.

"Any plans for another child now that your daughter is married?" Ozai asked them.

Nobleman Fang chuckled and stated how he'd love to try for a son. Mai rolled her eyes.

"Chisya is enough. Why have more? Child bearing is not easy." Mai said.

"I know, dear."

Katara glared up at Ozai, "I have a son and a daughter. I think it's greedy to want more."

"And I am a very greedy man." Ozai replied, gaining the chuckle of Nobleman Fang.

Mai looked between the regent and the queen mother and saw they were once more not on the same page. She really wondered how they managed to maintain their relationship like this for years. If they weren't all over each other in love, not caring who saw, they were at odds debating whether to take arms against the other. Mai grabbed her husband's arm and excused themselves to go speak with others.

Katara sighed and turned to her lover, "My womb aches in pain whenever you're around. Please keep your distance until this obsession with having more children is over."

Ozai pulled her to him and looked her over, "is it wrong for me to want to see you swollen with my child?"

"Yes!"

"Why?!"

"Because I've expressed many times that I am not interested. This isn't your first time getting baby fever since Yumiko was born." Katara glared at him. "I recall you telling me soon after she was born that you miss seeing my round belly and that you'd fill it back up once I was healed."

Ozai chuckled awkwardly, "Dear, I can't help myself. You look so lovely as a pregnant woman."

"Then I apologize for not being to your liking now or ever for that matter." Katara spat.

Placing his hands on her shoulder, "Sweetheart, you do not have to have more children for now. Just humor me a little."

"Ever, Ozai. Ever. I don't have to have more children ever."

Ozai frowned at her, "Not even one or two more."

"No, Ozai!"

"Fine, I'll repress the urge to impregnate you."

"Thank you."

"But I will still fantasize. You cannot take that from me."

Katara rolled her eyes at him, "I don't know how we've been able to get along as long as we have."

Ozai sighed and glanced over at his grandson and the new Fire Lady, "You make sounds as if you haven't loved me all this time."

"Oh, I have loved you immensely but you get under my skin time and time again."

"Then it's just our dynamic."

Katara leaned up against him, "I guess it is."

…..

~Six Years Later~

Lu-Shin had to say that his mother was right about everything she tried to tell him about being in love with someone and living a happy life. He never thought it important as he wanted to live up to who his father was but after spending these years with Chiysa and their three year old son, he understood what his mother meant. While he may not have loved the woman at first, he most definitely adored her completely as they were continuing their lives together, now expecting their second child. He wanted to tell his mother how right she was but it would hurt his pride and as Fire Lord, he was a very prideful man. Much like his grandfather. However, his grandfather had learned to lay down his pride for his mother's sake.

While his mother and grandfather moved out to the country in order to raise Yumiko away from court life, they came to visit often. Always bringing their family quarrels with them. His mother had finally given into having more children with his grandfather after a year of him pleading with her. Four years ago she gave birth to his twin brothers, Kazuka and Otohiko. Two firebenders that were troublemakers. Lu-Shin loved his little brothers but they were always up to no good. His grandfather immediately regretted his desire for more children after the boys learned to walk. However, his mother adored them.

At the moment, his family was visiting and he had Chiysa entertain them while he was in a meeting. When Lu-Shin got out of his meeting and went to see his family in the gardens, his mother announced that she was pregnant again, this time with another girl. She claimed it was the last child since his grandfather was already sixty-six years old and his mother just came up on her thirty-seventh birthday. Lu-Shin hoped his old grandfather could manage to keep from impregnating his mother any further as she was still young enough to keep having children for more than ten more years.

Resting herself up against Ozai as she fanned herself, "So, we're due the same week, Chiysa. Is that not bizarre?"

Chisya chuckled, "You are still young, your grace. I think it normal that you we're set around the same time."

Katara smiled as Ozai placed his hand on her belly, "Of course, this is our last, I'm sure you and Lu-Shin are planning for more."

Chiysa nodded her head.

"Grandfather, how will you face the new baby with the strip of gray in your hair? Do you not want to dye it?"

Katara giggled, "Your grandfather's hair has become stubborn. It won't dye so easily. He is simply that old."

"Old?!" Ozai growled. "You weren't saying I was old last night!"

Rolling her eyes, "Yes, Ozai, I'm well aware you remain youthful in certain departments."

Lu-Shin tried to pretend he didn't understand what they were saying. Last thing he wanted to do was picture them having sex when he had previously walked in on them when he was younger. It was not a pretty sight and he tried his damndest to not take offense to how his grandfather handled his mother in the bedroom.

As his mother decided to stay in the capital for the birth of his second grandchild and her own child, Lu-Shin decided to have a one on one with his mother about something that he always wondered about.

"Mother, one day grandfather will leave you much like how my father left you, are you ready for that day?" Lu-Shin asked her.

Katara sighed and shook her head, "I always knew your father's death coming when we were married. I was never ready for it. We all know death will come for us and those we love and we are never ready. I'll never be ready to lose your grandfather, Lu-Shin. I have spent many years with him and it is my hope that I get many more with him."

Lu-Shin nodded.

"His health will decline and little by little he'll begin to forget things, possibly me as well. But I love him and though I'm not ready, I'll never be ready, I will be by his side always. Just as you and Chiysa will be by each other's side when those twilight years of your life come rolling in. That's why it is important to be with someone you love and loves you in return. So the end will be less frightening and you'll have someone there to hold you when it is all said and done."

Lu-Shin sighed as he held his mother's hand, "I hope grandfather lives a long life. That way you don't have to suffer so soon in watching him go."

Katara chuckled, "As stubborn as your grandfather is, he may outlive me."

Snickering at this, "He may."

….

~Twenty Years Later~

"Well if it isn't my beautiful nurse." Ozai rasped as he watched the tribeswoman enter his bedroom to tend to him.

Rolling her eyes, "Ozai, you know I'm not your nurse."

"We agreed you were my nurse." He chuckled.

Katara shook her head as she giggled at him, setting his tray of food on his lap and prepared to feed him. Ozai was fortunately able to keep his mind through the years but his body had deteriorated, leaving him confined to his bed and a wheelchair. Katara took care of his every need, feeding him, bathing him and changing his chamber pot, she massaged the aching parts of his body, and treated all other ailments. She sought to prolong his life. He accused her of trying to cheat death on his behalf. Something she never claimed not to be doing. But Ozai had told her many times that he would be ready to go when it was time and she would be able to do nothing once that time came. It was harsh but he wanted her to accept the facts of life. That death happened and it happened to them all. No one was exempt.

Feeding the man that had practically been her second husband, Katara tried not to giggle at his intense gaze as his gold eyes were as piercing as the day she met him.

"What is it, Ozai?" She chuckled.

Smirking at her, "I'm trying to figure out why you've barely aged in all these years. What are you, a witch?"

Rolling her eyes at him, "Then that makes you a warlock because you haven't aged at all. Aside from your white hair, you look the exact same."

"Good genes, dear." Ozai smirked. "How about we have a little fun, sweetheart? It's been a while."

"Ozai, I'd break your hip again."

"It was worth it before. It'll be worth it again."

Katara couldn't believe he was such a horn dog even at this age. Though, he couldn't have the kind of 'fun' he wanted to have anymore. While they were still intimate with each other in whatever way they could be depending on his mood for the day, Katara was especially careful with him as he was no longer as sturdy as he used to be.

Wiping his face after he finished eating, "Yumiko is having her third child this month."

"A boy or a girl?"

"A boy."

"I'd like to meet the boy. Agni, be willing I'll hold out till then."

Katara's expression sombered up, "Agni is always willing, Ozai. You'll meet your newest grandson."

Ozai sighed as he laid back into his pillows that had him propped up right. "You're never going to let me go, are you, darling?"

Katara shook her head as she started examining him for any aches and pains.

"You're foolish, Katara. Foolish as the day I met you." Ozai told her.

"Foolishness has gotten me this far. I'll take it even further."

Chuckling at her, Ozai shut his eyes and shook his head. "You must truly love me."

"With all my heart."

"Then let me rest, Katara." Ozai told her.

The room was silent for a moment as she looked to him with a hurt expression and he eyed her with a pleading look on his face.

"Let me rest, dear. This is no way for a man like me to live and you know it." Ozai told her.

Katara's face contorted in a pained frown, "Oza-"

"I'll still be with you. Always. Just don't move on from me or I'll haunt the shit out of you."

Chuckling sadly, "I'll never move on from you, Ozai. There's not a man on this earth that's anything like you."

"I'm glad you know that."

"You're such an asshole."

"That I am, sweetheart." Ozai smiled at her as she gazed down at him, reaching for his white hair that she ran her hands through. "I'm old and tired, Katara. Let me go."

Tears ran down her face, "Okay, Ozai. I'll let you go."

"Thank you, my love." Ozai beamed up at her.

And she let him go. A week after he met his latest grandson, Katara said goodbye to her lover and in the morning, his hand that she held all through the night had gone cold and stiff. It broke her heart as she knew no matter what she'd never be prepared to lose him. As the Fire Sages prepared his body for cremation, Katara was left for a few moments alone with his corpse that she ran her hand along.

"I wasn't ready, Ozai. I wasn't ready to lose you too." Katara bit back tears. "Never."

The wind blew through her hair and she felt something warm wrap around her as she cried.

"Please, wait for me, my love." Katara leaned down and kissed the lips of his corpse as a few tears dropped on him. "Wait for me."

The end

….

A/N: Alrighty folks! Now for the end of the previous story!