A/N: Hope you all had a super wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and plenty of good food! I worked on Christmas which was new, always used to be on holiday haha, but it was pretty fun XD I think you guys are gonna have to put up with fortnightly updates for the time being, this current rotation is so full on and tiring. Hopefully the next rotation has more time off XD I havn't forgotten about replies…I'll get there I promise. Next week I'm working 6 days so hopefully after that? This chapter is a treat because it's partly in Yatsu's POV which we haven't had before.

Guest responses:

Haneypots: Hahaha thanks man, I appreciate it! XD Aww bless you, sounds like you had a long week, I hope this week has been better! Awww dude that was so heartfelt, thank you so much, just what I needed to hear honestly. I quite enjoy the ping pong of emotions XD That's exactly it! Oh my gosh I forgot to add that line to my list of favourites! I had a lot of fun writing that one, it highlights how deeply Katara is hurting. Hehe that pretending line seems like it was a popular one which I'm glad for, was proud of that one XD Havent heard that saying before XD bless your heart thank you for the patience man. Hope you enjoy this one.

Guest: I'm glad! XD

A: Ha! You're the first one who picked up on that line, funny, I thought more people would mention it haha. She'd have slapped him for sure XD Oh gosh I bet, this time of the year is always so hectic when it should be the most relaxing! Yep, they'll be answered in a few chapters time. Well, then this slightly angsty chapter will make up for the last chapter XD But yes as we move towards the mending, then the angst will be dialled down. Aww thank you! Yeah she really needs a distraction tbh. Thank you! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Avatarzilla: oh yes, Aang has no self-preservation XD

/

Next Day:

Katara's POV:

I wake up to the sound of Aang's whispered tone and Yatsu's quiet giggles. I groan and push myself up from the mattress, but a headache has me lying back down. 'Spirits, I haven't been able to do anything useful.' I grumble silently as I close my eyes again. 'If Aang hadn't been around, Yatsu would've had to fend for himself like he often had to whenever I was ill or had to work.'

I massage my forehead before rolling over to my side and tuck my knees into my chest. 'Just a few minutes and I'll see Yatsu off.' I convince myself as I find myself floating back into the realm of sleep. However, I don't wake up again until I feel the edge of the mattress sinking to my right. I try to squint between half open eyelids and when I spot a familiar outline, I subconsciously stiffen up.

"Hey Katara, are you feeling ok? You were mumbling a lot." The Airbender queries in concern. With a swallow, I push myself up onto one elbow to scrutinise the man who's sitting gingerly on the edge of the mattress with his head turned towards me.

"I'm fine." I mutter as I rub my eyes. "Thanks for taking Yatsu to school again today." I add as an afterthought when I find him still piercing me with those intense grey orbs of his.

"You don't need to thank me for that. He's my son too." Aang reminds dryly and I cringe at that.

"Of course, sorry." I mumble as I push myself up into a sitting position. I chew my lip before glancing up at him. "So...all of your memories are back then?" I ask hesitantly and when he nods, I don't know whether to feel dread, anxiety or relief.

"Pretty much. Things are a little jumbled in my head with the merging of the before and after memory loss, but I think they're all there." The Air Nomad replies and I cast my gaze down to the duvet that's draped over my legs.

"So...your parents?" I whisper and the man furrows his eyebrows for a moment before his eyes suddenly widen with realisation.

"Wait...you named Yatsu after my Dad?" Aang croaks out and I nod my head hesitantly.

"I couldn't figure out what was the right spelling. Some books used the letter 'J' instead of 'Y' and since I never asked you how it was spelt I just went with the 'Y' version." I explain as I clasp my hands over my knees while the Airbender stares at me in disbelief.

"My Dad's name was spelt with a 'J', but either spelling is fine. Why name our son after him though?" He queries in confusion and I shrug my shoulders, only to wince when the muscles tighten around the joint. A flash of worry crosses his eyes, but I pretend not to notice as I reply.

"I wanted him to have some connection to you and it felt weird to name him after you, so your Dad seemed the most reasonable bet. You mentioned how he would always protect you and I suppose Yatsu was my protector against the difficult times, so it felt like a fitting name." I elaborate as I fiddle with my fingers anxiously. My ex-husband reaches forward to rest a hand on top of mine, stilling their movements as he gives me a warm smile.

"That means more to me than you can imagine. Thank you Katara." Aang whispers genuinely and I can't help but feel a tug in my chest at seeing him smile so warmly like that at me.

"Don't mention it." I mumble.

"If we have a daughter, then we'll have to name her Kya." I freeze at Aang's words and without meaning to, I feel myself pulling away from him. The Airbender notices his mistake a beat too late as he moves a hand to rub the back of his head nervously. "I-I mean..." He stammers while I clench my jaws tightly.

"We're not together." I utter, my voice is quiet but sharp. He winces as he drops his hands onto his lap.

"I...know, but I want us to be." Aang whispers and I grimace at his words. I pull my knees further into my chest, subconsciously withdrawing from him and he fortunately doesn't make any move to shift closer.

"I'm not ready for that. I don't know if I'll ever be ready for that." I mutter tightly. At this, the Air Nomad shifts until he's sitting cross-legged on the king-sized bed as he gazes into my eyes.

"You were with Yun. That means you're open to relationships." Aang reminds lightly, but I can see the tightness around his lips as he says that. I quirk an eyebrow at him.

"Are you jealous?" My question is so direct that it takes the man off guard and he immediately turns his head to the side so I can't see his expression.

"That's...not important." He mutters, but if anything that makes me want to know more.

"So, you weren't?" I throw out instead and his head whips round to face me with wide eyes. I glance down at his hands that have clenched into a fist before returning my gaze back to his face.

"Spirits Katara, of course I was jealous. You were kissing another man right in front of me. Even when I didn't have my memories, it made me irrationally angry." The Airbender rants and my face screws up.

"At least I never betrayed you in the same way that you did." I fire back and all the steam in his features evaporates at that.

"I..." He stalls as his gaze drops to the bedsheets. I bite the inside of my cheek and turn my head away from him.

"You're already thinking about having another child together when all I remember from my first pregnancy was trauma and anguish. And...you were with someone else in an intimate way just weeks ago. How do you expect me to feel about that?" I state with a strained voice as my breathing becomes shallow and raspy with pain.

"But Katara, I was..." Aang tries to defend himself, but I cut him off by raising both hands until they're by either side of my head.

"I know, I know! You lost your memories. You didn't know how you felt about me back then, but that doesn't change the fact that it happened." I voice in frustration as I grasp a wisp of hair between my thumb and forefinger.

"I..." I glance up when Aang cuts himself off and my frown only deepens when he drops his head into his hands.

"Hey." I prompt as I stretch out a hand towards him, but I'm too hesitant to let it land on his shoulder.

"I started having feelings for you before I did what I did with Jin." Aang chokes out and it's like a glass has shattered around me. 'I thought what he did was bad enough, but knowing that he did it when he harboured some form of feelings towards me makes it far worse somehow.'

A small whine escapes my lips as I retract my arm away from him. I don't have it in me to be mad anymore, but this feeling of suffocation is almost overwhelming. I push back the duvet and stumble out of the bed, not caring that my legs are still weak. The Airbender jerks his head up with wide eyes.

"Katara, you..." He starts, but I give him a firm shake of the head and he snaps his jaws closed immediately. I swallow and turn away from him to massage my temples as all sorts of feelings and emotions bubble through me in a stormy rage. 'Shoot. I shouldn't be mad. I shouldn't be mad. I shouldn't be...' My silent mantra is interrupted by angry tears and my breathing catches when I try to inhale some much needed air.

"Katara..." Aang whispers as I sense him getting closer to me. I screw my eyes tightly shut, praying that this is all some horrible nightmare that I'll wake up from at any moment. "Please say something." The Airbender begs as his voice cracks and my face crumples when I realise this is definitely not a nightmare. It's reality. My knees buckle underneath me. "Katara!" Aang shouts as he grabs me by the shoulders, but I hiss when he grabs the injured joint. "Shoot, I'm sorry." The man babbles as he lowers me to the floor carefully before withdrawing his hands. I rest my palms against the carpet as I stare blankly at the ground.

"How does an Airbender breathe when they're suffocating?" I whisper quietly and the man freezes at my words. 'I don't blame him. It's a throwback to that huge fight we had over a decade ago.'

"They take deep breaths in and out." Aang mumbles and I subconsciously find myself doing just that in an attempt to push back the walls that seem to be closing in around me. It's a long while before my breathing finally returns to normal, but I refuse to meet the Air Nomad's eyes. I hesitate before I finally speak, but I know the words need to be said.

"Aang, I don't think I can handle a relationship right now." My voice is pained as I tell him that and I feel a stab in my chest when I see his face crumple.

"I understand." My ex-husband croaks back and it takes everything in me not to take it back.

"I hate to admit it, but I need some time to get over everything. Not just because of the whole Jin situation, but also what happened with Yon Rha. I'm just mentally exhausted." I admit and it takes everything in me to actually reveal that to him. His lips part as he stares at me.

"Oh spirits." Aang curses as his face screws up in distress. "I shouldn't have let you get caught by him. I..." I shake my head firmly and go to touch his arm lightly.

"None of this blaming stuff." I remind gently and he sucks in a breath before hanging his head. I breathe in deeply before continuing. "That's the other reason why I don't think we should be in a relationship. You're carrying a lot of baggage. I want you to be able to sort through those first. And...I need to sort through mine. You've already started to be more honest with me, so I know you can build yourself up again." I express honestly, but his shoulders slump.

"This is sounding like what you said before I lost my memories." Aang grumbles and my lips twitch upwards at his complaint.

"I mean it. If we're ever going to be together, we can't be at each other's' throats all the time. Not when we have Yatsu to think about. I..." I pause to chew my lip before continuing. "I'm happy for you to keep seeing him while you can alongside your Avatar duties, but I don't want you thinking we've fixed things. At this stage we're just co-parents then...well, I don't know where we go from there, but there's definitely no us in the meantime." I state carefully while watching his features which flickers between so many different emotions that I can't catch them all.

"If ever." He adds under his breath and I grimace at that, but I choose not to argue, because maybe that will be the case. 'Maybe we're doomed to never work out.' I realise with a pang.

"I'm sorry." I whisper as I use the wall to push myself up to my feet. It takes several moments before the Airbender follows suit. His face is so miserable that I have to avert my eyes away from him.

"I guess I should go then. I... I'll pick up Yatsu from school and I'm happy to do the school runs for the rest of the week. If you're not able to do it next week then I can arrange some time off." The Air Nomad rattles off in such a business-like tone that the detachment hurts more than I thought it would. I clench my teeth and nod my head robotically.

"No need to take time off work. My Dad has retired, so he can fill in easily." I say with a wave of my hand. The Airbender parts his lips for a moment before nodding his head.

"So, are you on better terms with him now?" Aang queries with a hint of curiosity and I shrug my left shoulder.

"We've not talked explicitly about it, but I think we'll sort it out." I reply offhandedly and the man takes that as his cue to leave.

"That's a good step in the right direction. I'm glad." The Air Nomad murmurs as he moves towards the door. I bite my lip as I watch him leave, but his feet come to a stop. He doesn't turn around when he says his next words.

"That day at the graveyard. I never said thank you for cleaning the Air Nomad orphanage monument." Aang's breathes out and my eyes widen.

"Oh." I echo back numbly as my stomach twists in anticipation of his next words.

"You know what the hardest part of getting my memories back? It was having to watch Gyatso die all over again. And remembering how the orphanage burnt down. Then seeing Roku's lifeless eyes. And my parents' ashen remains and your whi-" With each word, a part of me is torn up inside and I interject before he can continue.

"S-stop." I demand, but my voice shakes. "I know. It's why I never wanted you to remember them." I choke back as tears start pricking the backs of my eyes once more.

"So, that's why you never told me about Yatsu." Aang mutters and I can hear the edge in his tone. I clutch my arms to myself as I drop my head down.

"I just wanted you to be happy." I croak. His fingers dig into the side of the door until I hear a crack.

"I never wanted to be happy if it was at the expense of your own happiness." Aang retorts stiffly.

"Aa-" I start, but the man moves out of the room.

"I have to go to work now. See you around." My ex-husband bids gruffly and he's gone before I can say anything more. I close my eyes and lower myself to the ground to cry.

6 Hours Later:

Yatsu's POV:

When Daddy comes to pick me up, I instantly know something is wrong. His smile is forced and taunt and his eyes are filled with sadness and anger. 'There's been a level of grief in them ever since Mama was...' I shake my head to rid the thought. 'But today his sadness is more prominent than usual.'

"What's wrong Daddy?" I ask when he comes to pick me up from school. He flashes that forced smile of his again and leads me into the car.

"Just a long day at work sport." Daddy answers as he settles into the driving seat. Liar. 'I can tell immediately. It was a skill I've always been good at. One I've always hated too. Adults think they have to lie to kids to protect them, but the deception cuts worse than any truth can hold.'

"Is Mummy ok?" I ask innocently, but when I spot the way his hands tighten around the steering wheel, I immediately know that Mama is the source of his pain.

"She's fine. Still resting at home, but she'll be back to school runs soon enough." My Dad answers smoothly, but my stomach still twists as my thoughts race several miles an hour. 'Either Mama isn't doing well or they had a fight. And since fights were what pushed them apart, I'm willing to bet that's likely the reason for his melancholy.' I silently piece together as I watch Daddy drive us back to my home.

"So, what did you do at school today?" Daddy asks to shift the direction of the conversation elsewhere. I hold back my sigh and give him an animated version of my day.

"My teachers started giving me some higher-level stuff to look at and it was really fun!" I say while bouncing in my chair. My Dad glances to me with a smile, but an expression I can't read flashes through his eyes.

"Oh? What type of higher-level stuff?" The older Airbender asks curiously.

"Maths and Science at uni level. It's harder, but I like it." I elaborate and my Dad taps his fingers against the car wheel in thought.

"I think I have my old university books somewhere at your house. You can borrow them if you like?" Daddy offers and I completely forget about his odd expression to beam up at him in excitement.

"Really?!" I blurt as I shift in my chair. My reaction finally elicits a genuine smile from the man who moves to briefly ruffle my hair.

"Really. Who knows, maybe you'll go into aerospace engineering like I did." Daddy teases as he returns his hand back on the wheel. I blink up at him in awe.

"Wow Daddy that's so cool! But why did you open a jewellery chain instead?" I query with confusion and the man gives me a wink.

"Jewellery was the first gift I gave your Mum so I had a bit of an attachment to it." Aang reveals with a half-smile and I can tell that's not the whole truth, but I have no basis to press him on it.

"What type of jewellery did you give her?" I ask curiously just as we pull into the driveway of my house.

"A locket, so you can put pictures in it." Aang reminisces with a faraway expression on his face. I blink twice and tilt my head to the side.

"You mean the locket that Mummy has been wearing all the time until recently?" I ask and the man swivels towards me.

"She wore it all the time?" He questions, sounding surprised and I nod my head vigorously.

"She's worn it for as long as I can remember. To sleep, to work and even when she has a bath. I don't think she's ever taken it off except for the last few weeks." I point out and the man dips his head in thought.

"I...see." The older Airbender whispers. I swallow and lean towards him just as he turns off the engine off the car.

"Daddy, I'm sure Mummy still loves you." I insist firmly and that cracks a smile on the man's face as he reaches to give me a hug.

"Maybe she does. Maybe she doesn't. But sometimes it takes more than love to make things work." Daddy whispers as he rests his chin against the crown of my head. I try to look up at him but when I catch a glistening shine in his eyes, I promptly look down again.

"Then make it work Daddy." I whisper back and I sense the man shifting in surprise.

"You...want us to be together?" Daddy asks with a surprised tone. I furrow my eyebrows and nod my head vigorously.

"Yes! I want to see you all the time Daddy and be a family. I want...Mummy to be happy and I know you can make her happy. And...I want you to be happy too Daddy." I voice quietly and soon I feel his arms wrapping around me in a warm embrace.

"Alright buddy. For you, I'll do my best." Aang murmurs as he presses a kiss to my forehead. I smile and pull back to allow my Dad to pick up the house keys. We exit the car and move towards the house door. Once we reach the porch, Daddy pulls out the keys and unlocks the door.

"I bought some already cooked food from the store in case your Mummy isn't up to cooking." Daddy announces as he steps back from the porch, ready to close the door. I frown and make a grab for the hem of his shirt.

"Wait Daddy, you're not going to stay?" I ask as my stomach plummets in disappointment. The Airbender gazes at me in confliction before he bends slightly to meet my eyes.

"Sorry buddy, I think your Mummy has had enough of me for today. I'll see you tomorrow for school though." He tries to reassure me, but it does little to alleviate the emptiness.

"Daddy before you go, are you free next week?" I ask hopefully, but when I spot the apologetic expression on his face, I immediately know the answer.

"I'm sorry buddy, I have work in another city for all of next week. Why? Did you need me for something?" Aang queries with furrowed eyebrows. I swallow and cast my eyes away from him.

"No, nothing special." I lie and watch as he scratches the back of his head in confusion.

"Alright then, if you say so. I'll be off. Your Mum has my number so if you need me, call me." Daddy bids as he reaches down to give me a hug before locking the house door behind him.

I keep waving until his shadow disappears from the glass door before dropping my arm by my side as I try to fight off the feeling of disappointment and loneliness. 'Its fine. If Mummy never told Daddy she was pregnant, then he wouldn't know it's my birthday next week.' I tell myself, but the sorrow still twists me up inside. 'It would've been the first birthday that I'd have my Daddy.' I think with a heavy sigh as I walk around the house, looking for Mama. When I don't find her in the kitchen, I climb up the stairs to find her folding up some clothes in my room.

"Mummy!" I call out and the waterbender turns to give me a warm smile and holds out her arms for me.

I stop short when I notice the redness in her eyes. I give myself an internal shake, pretending that I didn't notice and jump forward into her arms. She's too weak to lift me up, but her arms enclose around me as she pulls me into her chest. I bury my face into her neck, hating that I can tell that she must've been crying.

"Hey sweetheart, how was your day at school?" Mama queries softly as she runs a hand through my hair.

"It was good, I had a lot of fun with my friends." I say, opting not to tell her about the uni level work the teachers have been giving me, especially not after seeing Daddy's reaction and Mama's fear from before is still fresh in my mind.

"I'm glad sweetie. What would you like to eat? I'll see if I can fix something up for you." My Mummy asks as she pulls back lightly to look me in the eyes.

"Daddy said he bought something for us to eat on the table." I reassure and Mama's face drops slightly at that. 'They did have a fight.' I realise with a disappointed pang.

"Ah that's nice of him. Let's go down and eat together then." Mummy suggests as she takes my hand.

When we start walking down the stairs, I can tell Mummy is still a little shaky and I grip her hand tighter so she wouldn't fall. She flashes me a grateful grin and squeezes my hand in gratitude.

"Thanks Yatsu." Mummy whispers and I flash her a grin in return, but inside my chest tightens.

Dinner is a quiet affair and when I bid her goodnight, I pretend not to notice her dropping the plates from how shaky her hands are. I pretend not to notice her pausing to take a break between washing every couple of dishes. I pretend not to notice the way her eyebrows screw up tightly together with an obvious headache or the way she touches her right shoulder lightly with a grimace.

"I love you Mummy." I whisper as she hugs me tightly.

"Love you dear. Now off to bed." She laughs as she presses a kiss to my cheek. I hop up the stairs and head to my room to change into my pyjamas. I crawl up onto the bed and lie down, but sleep doesn't come easy. I turn over to my side, close my eyes and count backwards from ten before finally drifting to sleep.

Dream:

"Yatsu, it's ok sweetie. Just look away." Mummy murmurs gently, before glancing at Daddy.

Fear grips my heart as I reach out for her, but people keep pulling me back. Stopping me from getting to her. And I just wish I was stronger. Strong enough to bat them away to save her, just like she saved me.

I stop struggling when I hear the worst scream of my life. My eyes snap back to Mama and I automatically wish I hadn't. There's a dark red pool slowly growing around her and I watch as Daddy collapses onto his knees beside her. I've never seen or imagined such horror like that before. Knowing Mummy is dying right in front of me. Because of me. And seeing Daddy unravel and clutch his head as if it was the end of the world. Emotions I've never experienced overwhelm me as tears flood my eyes.

"I told you not to make another move." The evil man spits as he runs off, but my eyes remained on my Mummy and when I hear her whisper those last words before her hand drops to the ground, the tears spill over as pain seizes my heart.

I start thrashing against the police officer's grip. 'I have to reach her. I have to.' I beg as I stretch out my hands towards her, but she stays so painfully still and silent.

End Dream

My eyes fling open and I don't need to touch my cheeks to know that I'm crying. I curl into a ball until the tears finally dry before carefully slipping out of my bed.

Quietly, I waddle across the landing and poke my head around the door that leads to Mummy's bedroom. I see her chest rising and falling as she sleeps and the sound of her light breathing is all the reassurance I needed. I watch her for another several minutes, wanting nothing more than to hop into her bed and hug her tight, but I don't want her to worry her. 'She's already weak from what happened and she's having issues with Daddy. She doesn't need to worry that I've been having these awful nightmares for the last week.' I convince myself as I tread carefully back to my own room.

I slide myself back under the covers and stare at the ceiling. 'I wish I could tell Daddy, but he's so busy all the time. And he's fighting with Mama too.' I bite my lip and roll to my front. 'Uncle Sokka and Grandpa would just tell Mummy. Maybe Auntie Toph or Uncle Zuko? But I don't see them often.' I think with a sigh.

"It's ok. They'll stop soon." I whisper to myself as I bury my face into my pillow.

A/N: Short chapter which I apologise for, but felt it was the best stopping point. Thought it would be nice to see more of Yatsu's internal thoughts and with a friend's prompt, I made sure to sneak one more Yatsu POV later on too. I went back and forth on titles for this chapter, but I felt Yatsu's words were the most powerful ones to be used for the title. Now, you know why Aang opened a jewellery store…a subconscious part of him felt an attachment to it, but he didn't realise why until he got his memories back XD Nugget - Aang may have left his memory loss self a list of suggestions, one of which was opening a jewellery store chain XD

Favourite lines to write:

"How does an Airbender breathe when they're suffocating?"

"I never wanted to be happy if it was at the expense of your own happiness."

So, this is the last update of 2024…looking back on this year, it's been a big one for me. Final exams, results day, graduation, becoming a doctor, a friend's wedding, getting my hobbies back, reunions with old friends from school and ofc my 10-year anniversary on this site in Oct. 10 years of writing and 10 years of meeting so many cool people and making close friends. It's been special and blessed. It's not without its downsides and pain, but…it's certainly a year that I will cherish. As we step into 2025 – I wish for all of you to have a year that's filled with blessings, hopes, fulfilled dreams and joy. May it be a special year for all of you. A year of growth and moving forward. Happy New Year guys!

I'm working next weekend, but will try to squeeze an update on the 6/7th Jan, if not then it will be the weekends of that week. See you all in the new year, thank you for being such treasured and kind readers to me!

28/12/24