I woke up before Tyro. He was snoring lightly and I had to whisper a giggle. I got up and went to the middle of the hut. I stretched and raised my hands above my head. I could feel my muscles shaking off sleep as I did it. Suddenly, there were hands gripping mine and I felt a body pressed against my back.
“Good morning sunshine.” I said.
“Good morning.” Tyro said his voice thick with sleep.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and my arms lay on top of them since he still had my hands. He rested his chin on my shoulder and yawned. I laughed and then kissed his cheek.
“Let’s go get something to eat.” I said.
Tyro mumbled and I laughed. I untangled myself from him and grabbed his hand. I dragged him down to the fire pit and then cooked us breakfast. Tyro was still half asleep when we were done eating so I found some cold water and splashed him with it.
“Hey!” Tyro shouted.
I laughed and he glared at me.
“I’m gonna get you for that!” Tyro said.
I laughed and shrieked as Tyro began to chase me. He eventually caught me and then shook out his hair on me. I shrieked and giggled as the cool water droplets covered my face and neck. I bended them off and flung them at Tyro’s face. I laughed when he got soaked again. Tyro glared at me and we had run so far into the woods that we were at the pond. He glanced at the pond and then smiled wickedly.
“No!” I screamed as Tyro charged at me.
We tumbled into the pond and got completely soaked. I was laughing so hard that I couldn’t breathe and my face turned red. We got up and exited the pond. I disbanded the water from us and we walked back to camp.
The next three months were routine. I would have a fun day with Tyro and manage to do my chores and play with Helos before falling asleep in Tyro’s arms. A few times, I got sick and then felt better right after. I began to feel strange and a little weak. Tyro got concerned, but I told him not to worry. One day in the bathroom, I noticed that my stomach had grown round. I gasped and then locked the door.
I lifted up my dress and looked at my stomach. It was round and it felt like a globe. A small globe had grown on my stomach.
“Oh shit. Oh shit.” I whispered.
I knew whose child it was. Tyro and I had only kissed and held it each other. There was only on person who I had had sex with. This child was Zuko’s. I rubbed my stomach and then dropped my dress.
“Lily, is everything alright?” Tyro asked outside the door.
“No. There’s something you need to know.” I said.
“What is it? Let me in!”
I unlocked the door, but hid my stomach.
“Do you remember my story?” I asked.
“Yes, you sacrificed your heart to let Zuko be happy.” He said.
“Did I tell my whole story? Everything.”
“Yes. How you were stolen and became Zuko’s slave, but then his fiancé and then how you were kidnapped and you lost your memory. I think it was especially funny that you kept Zuko from killing Sokka by freezing him.”
“And you know that Zuko and I did more than just kiss?”
“Yes. Of course I know.”
“And I had no way of knowing that I could possibly become pregnant?”
“What are you getting at?”
I revealed my stomach to him. He gasped and then looked at me.
“I had no idea. Please don’t be mad at me!”
Tears slipped down my face. Tyro came over to me and wiped them away. He leaned his forehead against mine.
“Of course I’m not mad. Just surprised. We’ll tell people that it’s ours to protect it. If Zuko ever comes around, you can tell him the truth. For now, I’ll be the father of it.” Tyro said.
“Really?” I asked.
“Of course. I’d do anything for you.”
“You’re the best.”
We kissed for a moment and then I walked out into my room.
“You have to tell the gang though.” I said.
“I do?” He asked.
“Yes you do. And you will do that while I go play with Helos. Good luck!”
“Hey!”
“No arguing.”
“Fine.”
I kissed him before going outside and sneaking over to Helos.
“Hey buddy. Look at this. It’s a bit of a surprise and can you guess whose it is? Zuko’s. I’m not sure what to do.” I said.
Helos whined and pressed his snout against me. I petted him before hugging his snout.
“Everything will be okay.” I said.
Just then Sifu and Taang came over and lifted me onto their shoulders.
“Congrats girl! Now we’ll have an heir for leader of the gang.” Sifu said.
“Hey! Put me down!” I said.
“No way! We’re going to have a super party for you right now at the fire pit.” Taang said.
“Guys! I can walk!” I said.
“Too bad!” They said together.
I sighed and let them carry me to the fire pit. They put me next to Tyro. He grabbed me and wrapped his arms around me as much as he could.
“You know it’s only going to get more difficult to do that.” I said.
“Yes, but I’ll cherish it for now.” He said.
We sat down on the log and I snuggled into his side. We stayed like that until we were forced to dance. We danced for awhile until I got tired and Tyro took me back to my hut. He stayed with me for awhile before going back to the gang. He kissed me good-bye and then left. I went over to my bed and crawled under the covers.
After two months, the baby started to move around a lot. I couldn’t really do much except walk around and cradle my stomach. Everyone would have me sit down and ask to feel the baby kick. Ursa and Taang especially liked feeling the baby kick. Tyro would occasionally feel the baby and smile. I would smile too and then he would go off to patrol the woods. I water bended a lot while I had nothing to do since everyone refused to let me do my chores.
When I was eight months along and you could hear the heart beat if you pressed your ear against my stomach, everyone began to do that. Even the guys began to get curious and would do it occasionally. Tyro did it more often than the other guys and I had to laugh at that. Ursa and Taang especially grew close to me and I spent most of the time with them. When it was two weeks away from when we expected for me to give birth, Tyro packed up Helos and put on his saddle.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I asked.
Taang and Ursa were with me so they looked up at Tyro for an answer.
“We are going to Ba Sing Se. No one here knows how to deliver a baby and I’m not going to take risks. A week ago, while I was on patrol, I went into the city and talked to a trusted friend who is a midwife. She’ll let us stay in her spare room until the baby comes.” Tyro said.
“You are not leaving without us.” Taang said.
“No way are we going to stay behind while you take her.” Ursa said
“What about the camp?” Tyro asked.
“The boys can take care of camp.” Taang said.
“We’re coming with you no matter what.” Ursa said.
“Fine. Go pack your bags and say good-bye to the boys.” Tyro said.
“What about me?” I asked.
“I’ve already pack your stuff.” Tyro said.
“Wow. Will you ever let me do anything by myself again?”
“After you have safely delivered a child.”
I sighed and climbed onto Helos.
“He can’t carry more than two people.” I said.
“The rest of us will have to walk. He’ll have to keep pace with us.” Tyro said.
Helos whined.
“I know buddy.” I said and rubbed his side.
When Taang and Ursa got back, they handed their stuff to Tyro who was expected to carry it. Ursa climbed up onto Helos and we began to walk. Every once in awhile, Ursa and Taang would switch places. When we got to Ba Sing Se, Tyro was ready to collapse. We made our way through the city and arrived at his friend’s house.
“Welcome! It’s so nice to finally meet all of you. My name is Amber.” She said.
“Nice to meet you too. Can I please get some water for Tyro?” I asked.
“Of course. Please come in. We have a big yard so your ell-hound will be safe there.”
“Thank you.”
I got off of Helos and Taang followed me. We brought Helos in the back and then began to unpack him. I took his saddle off and then gave him some water. He laid down and put his head on his paw. Taang and Ursa helped me bring in our luggage into our room.
The next week was irritating. No one would let me cook or clean or do anything for myself. Someone was always with me. Ursa, Taang, Tyro, and I had to share a room so they took turns sleeping with me. One night, everything changed. It was almost morning when I woke up due to pain. I sat up in bed and held my stomach. Then I noticed that the sheets were wet. Everyone else was asleep. I carefully made my way across the room and out the door without waking anyone up. I closed the door and then headed into Amber’s room.
“Amber, please wake up. I think the baby’s coming.” I said.
Amber stirred and sat up in bed. Then she processed what I had said and jumped out of her bed.
“I don’t want to wake anyone else up. Can we go downstairs and deliver the baby?” I asked and then gasped as a contraction came on.
“You’ll be screaming in a little while anyways, but it’s you’re choice. Come on. Let’s get you downstairs and I’ll set up.” She said.
She grabbed my arms and helped me down the stairs. She sat me down in a chair and I moaned as another contraction hit. She laid a sheet on the dining room table. Then she made me lay down and she made sure that my head was facing the opening of the dining room. Then she laid a sheet over my bottom half and removed my pants.
“You’re far along and your contractions are close so you must have gone into labor a while ago while you were sleeping.” Amber said.
I moaned as another contraction occurred. Amber ran around and got towels, a bucket of water, and blanket. I screamed as a large contraction occurred. There was a thump from up above which must have been Tyro falling out of bed.
“Oh boy. Now they’re awake.” Amber said.
She came over to me and spread my legs far apart to the point where I thought they would rip.
“Lily!” Tyro said as he appeared in the doorway.
“Don’t you dare come in!” I huffed.
Tyro didn’t listen to me and he came over to my side. He took my hand and then Ursa and Taang showed up. Ursa stood by my head and wiped sweat from my face while Taang grabbed my other hand. After a few minutes, Amber’s head popped up from somewhere.
“Listen Lily, you are fully dilated. You need to push.” Amber said.
I took a deep breath and then pushed with all my strength. I squeezed Taang and Tyro’s hands until they turned red. Then I stopped pushing and took a few deep breathes.
“Very good. A few more good pushes and the baby should be out.” Amber said.
I screamed in pain and Tyro turned pale. After about fifteen minutes of me pushing, a cry sounded. Amber quickly washed the baby and then wrapped it in the blanket. Ursa helped me sit up a bit and the baby was put into my hands.
“It’s a girl. What are you going to name her?” Amber asked.
“I think I’ll name her Fallon. Because one day she’ll grow her wings and fly.” I said.
“Wow. That’s deep.” Taang said.
“It’s sweet.” Ursa said.
“It’s perfect.” Tyro said.
I smiled at him and he kissed my forehead. Fallon cooed and I looked down at her. She had dark brown hair like Zuko’s and she had my green eyes.
“She’s beautiful.” Ursa said.
I touched her cheek and she made a sucking noise. She looked up at me and smiled. Then she giggled when I touched her nose.
“She’s amazing.” Taang said.
“I wonder what kind of bender she will be. Since Tyro is a fire bender and you are a water bender and those elements usually cancel each other out, it will be interesting to see if she can bend.” Taang said.
“She’ll be special no matter whether she can bend or not.” I said.
Tyro smiled at me and kissed my cheek. Fallon giggled and I smiled. She was mine. She was mine and she was beautiful.
“While I clean up back here, why don’t you feed her?” Amber asked.
“Tyro, out!” I said.
Taang and Ursa grabbed him by his arms and clung on.
“We’ll take him upstairs. Congrats on the kid.” Taang said.
“Thanks guys.” I said.
They wheeled Tyro out and up the stairs. I laughed and then pulled down my shirt. Fallon was looking around while I did this so she was surprised when her mouth landed on my breast. Her eyes widened and then she began to feed. I giggled as her surprised expression went to a calm look. I watched her as she fed and she eventually closed her eyes. After a few minutes, she stopped sucking. I pulled her away from my breast and heard her lightly snoring. It was so adorable that I smiled. Her mouth was in the shape of an o and her face was relaxed. I cradled her against me and she continued to sleep.
Amber finished cleaning up and then brought me upstairs. She also provided us with everything that we could possibly need. Diapers, bottles, formula, and clothes. I thanked her again and again until she went to bed. Ursa and Taang were very excited about Fallon and they watched her for a little bit while she slept. I put her in Tyro’s arms and she stayed asleep.
“She’s ours.” I said.
“She certainly is.” Tyro said.
I snuggled against him and kissed him on his cheek.
"I could get use to this.” I said.
“Until she starts running around and you’re chasing after her.” Tyro said.
“Which will still be alright.”
“And we’ll help her learn.” Taang said.
“And we’ll help you raise her. We’ll always be there for you guys and we’ll be there for her every day.” Ursa said.
“You guys will be her Aunts.” I said.
They squealed and then quieted down when Fallon twitched.
“I have a feeling that she sleeps like her father which is like a rock.” I said.
We laughed and then everything went quite. I feel asleep against Tyro and then was woken up two hours later to Fallon’s cries. I sat up and held her against me before pulling down my shirt and feeding her.
“Um….. Why are you doing that?” Tyro asked.
“When a woman gets pregnant, she produces milk which is stored in her breasts and that’s where it comes out of. Don’t guys know anything about that kind of stuff?” I asked.
“Not really because we don’t want to know about that until its time to know.” Tyro said.
“Well, now you know. Stop making that face.”
“What face?”
“The ‘holy crap there’s exposed breasts’ face.”
“I’m not making that face.”
“Yes you are.”
“Fine.”
Tyro sat down next to me and kissed my cheek. He relaxed and then fell asleep. Once Fallon had gone back to sleep, I cradled her between Tyro and myself and feel asleep. The next time Fallon woke up, Ursa took her and made her a bottle. She fed her and watched her for awhile before giving her to Taang. I slept until Fallon was crying without being hungry.
“Has anyone changed her diaper?” I asked with my eyes closed.
“I don’t know how to do that!” Tyro said.
I sat up and laid Fallon in front of me. I had Tyro hand me a clean diaper and some wipes before I changed her and put her into clothes. I picked up Fallon and held her against my body. I got up and Tyro frantically waved his hands around.
“Tyro, I’m fine. If you don’t stop worrying about every single thing I do, I’ll break you arms off so you can’t wave them around.” I said.
He gulped and then followed me downstairs. He insisted on making breakfast so I let him. It was good and he cleaned up. Then I got up and went outside with Fallon. Helos came over and looked at Fallon. Fallon’s eyes widened and she gasped at Helos. Helos sniffed her and then licked her cheek. Fallon giggled and patted his snout. I laughed and Helos barked.
“Helos, this is Fallon. She’s the new member of our little family.” I said.
Helos barked and jumped around the yard. I laughed and Fallon waved her hands around.
We stayed one more night with Amber before heading back to camp. Lu Ten and Sifu were amazed at Fallon. They held her and they fell in love with her.
“She’s got us all wrapped around her tiny fingers already.” I said and laughed.
Everyone laughed with me, but they agreed. Tyro moved into my hut and we lived there. When Fallon was five months old, she stood up and walked to me. We celebrated that night with everyone and she laughed and clapped. Her long dark hair fell down to her shoulders and her green eyes became brighter everyday. When Fallon was eight months old, she started to talk. Her first word was “Momma” which of course I rubbed it into Tyro’s face. When she was a year old, her speech was almost in full sentences and she was running around. She even helped me in my chores.
Everyone was involved with her. Sifu would teach her to hold her ground, while Taang taught her acrobatics. Ursa taught her to be gentle to all creatures and Lu Ten taught her to take life as it was. I taught her to love everyone and to not judge people. Tyro taught her that everything and everyone has a reason and a purpose, but sometimes it’s hard to find those reasons or purposes. She understood everything we told her and smiled almost everyday.
A month after she turned one, the war ended. Tyro and I decided to move to the fire nation city. Everyone was sad for a few days while we packed up. Fallon ran around and said good-bye to everyone. But they surprised us by having their stuff packed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked.
“We’re coming with you. We stick together. We’re family.” Ursa said.
“Yeah, no way were you going to leave us behind.” Taang said.
“We’re in it for life.” Sifu said.
“Plus, we still have lots of things to teach Fallon.” Lu Ten said.
Fallon laughed and clapped her hands before throwing a fire ball at a tree. We all stared at her before I ran over and picked her up.
“Fallon, you’re a fire bender!” I said.
She clapped and then hugged me.
“I’m like Daddy.” She said.
“Yes, you’re like Daddy.” I said.
She clapped and then jumped down from my arms. She ran over to Tyro and then hugged his leg before running around with Helos. I picked her up and put her on Helos’s back. I climbed up with her and then I smiled.
“We’ll be back guys. Get everything done that needs to be and we’ll be back by then.” I said.
“Where are you going?” Tyro asked.
“For a run.”
Helos barked and then took off like a rocket. Fallon laughed and smiled. Her whole face lit up and it was the most beautiful thing in the world. We ran around for awhile before going back to the camp. Then we started to walk with the group. Fallon got tired of riding on Helos so we jumped off and I caught her. She laughed and then ran around us as we walked. Sifu and Taang climbed onto Helos and rode him for awhile before Fallon fell asleep in Ursa’s arms. We helped Ursa climb onto Helos and she rode him while Fallon took a nap. After Fallon woke up, she jumped down and I caught her. She walked beside me until we made camp for the day.
Everyone helped set up camp and it was a peaceful night. Fallon, Tyro and I shared a tent. Fallon stayed up for while before falling asleep on Lu Ten’s lap. I scooped her up and brought her into the tent and fell asleep with her.
***
It took us a week to get to the Fire Nation, but it was worth it. It was actually peaceful there and we all had fire nation clothes on. Tyro and I bought a house in a small area close to the city. Lu Ten and Ursa bought a house in the city. Sifu and Taang bought a house close to mine. We met up everyday at my house and we continued to teach Fallon everything that we were teaching her back at the camp.
Over the next few years, Fallon grew into the perfect five year old. She was happy, strong, and she controlled her emotions. Tyro had taught her fire bending and she was good at it. I watched them practice and Fallon would run up to me when it was over. She also became the best acrobat out of everyone. She did cartwheels and flips whenever she could. One day, I sat her down and told her my story. She didn’t believe that her father was Zuko at first until Tyro confirmed it.
“It doesn’t matter! Tyro is still my daddy!” Fallon said.
“Alright Fallon. Calm down. I just wanted you to know that your real father was Zuko. Tyro will always be here for us so of course he will stay your father.” I said.
Fallon looked confused for a moment, but then she smiled.
“Ok Mommy.” She said and hugged me.
“Why don’t we go to town and get you a brand new toy?” I asked.
“Yeah!” Fallon said and ran to the door.
I laughed and followed her to the door. Tyro kissed me before I followed Fallon down the rode. I grabbed her and stopped her when I heard someone approaching.
“What’s the matter Mommy?” Fallon asked.
“Something feels wrong. Come here.” I said.
Fallon ran up to me and I picked her up. I held her against my body and continued to walk.
“Hide your face in my neck.” I said.
“Okay Mommy.” Fallon said.
She pressed her face into my neck to hide it. My hair combined with hers and it covered her face up. When I noticed that the person was alone and was a man, I paused. I put Fallon down and tied up her hair. I grabbed her hand and we continued to walk. She half hid behind my leg as the person approached. He stopped in front of me and took off his hat. I gasped and covered my mouth with my free hand. Fallon hid all the way behind my legs and grabbed onto my clothes.
“Hello Lily. It’s been a long time.” Zuko said.
“It certainly has.” I said.
“Mommy! Who is this person?” Fallon asked peeking out from behind my legs.
I picked her up and she faced Zuko.
“Fallon, I told you about him today. Do you remember?” I asked.
“Yes.” Fallon said.
“You’re a mother.” Zuko said.
“Yes.” I said.
“How old is she?”
“She’s five.”
Zuko paused for a moment.
“She’s yours.” I said.
Zuko gasped and took a step back. Fallon made me put her down and she clung onto my leg.
“She’s mine?” Zuko asked.
“Yes, she’s yours. I told her about you today. We were actually on our way to the toy store.” I said.
“Mommy! I want to stay here!” Fallon said.
“Alright. Go see if you can climb all the way up that tree.” I said.
“Yeah!” Fallon said and took off. I followed her half way to the tree.
She began to climb up the tree like an expert.
“She’s beautiful.” Zuko said.
“She’s much more than that. She’s smart, she’s brave, she’s gentle, and she’s the perfect daughter. And she’s the perfect acrobat.” I said as Fallon swung on a tree branch laughing.
“Why didn’t you contact me?” Zuko asked.
“Because I had no way of contacting you and I thought it would be better if we waited for you to find us.”
“You knew I would come looking for you?”
“I figured you would.”
“I feel like an idiot now.”
“Don’t. She’s fine. Everyone raised her well. She’s a good fire bender. She knows how to control her emotions and she controls the fire really well.”
“She’s a fire bender?”
“Do I have to repeat myself every time I tell you something new or do you have to clean out your ears?”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“No. She’s fine. You don’t owe us anything.”
“I want to be in her life.”
“I’m guessing that Mai is your wife now and I’m pretty sure it would be better if you just went back to your palace. Plus, you probably have at least one child.”
“Yes. A son. He’s three.”
“That’s nice.”
“I want to be a part of our daughter’s life.”
“No. She’s been fine without you and she’ll live without you in her life.”
“Why won’t you let me be involved?”
“Because I know that you are Fire Lord and I don’t want my daughter being raised in the palace.”
“Aang and everyone else are at the palace for a visit.”
“Great. Tell them I said hi.”
“Stop being so stubborn!”
“I’m not being stubborn! I left you so that you could be with Mai! Now I have Fallon and Tyro! I don’t need you back in my life and Fallon is fine without you!”
“She should decide!”
“She doesn’t know you!”
“And what does that mean?”
“That means that she sees Tyro as her father and I don’t think she’d be comfortable in the palace.”
Fallon screamed as she began to fall out of the tree. I raced to the tree and jumped up onto a branch. I jumped up and caught her. She clung onto me as I landed on the ground.
“Fallon! Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah Mommy. The tree branch was thin and it snapped.” Fallon said.
“You scared me.”
“I’m sorry Mommy.”
“It’s alright.”
She kissed me on the cheek and hugged me before I put her down.
“Zuko! Did you see my flip?” She asked.
“I’m sorry Fallon. I missed it.” Zuko said.
Fallon smiled and ran to an empty area. She began to do a routine and threw fire into it. I clapped when it was over and she smiled. She ran back up to Zuko and smiled.
“That was great.” Zuko said.
“Mommy, can we go to the store now?” Fallon asked.
“Of course.” I said.
Fallon came over to me and we started to walk away when Tyro came running from the house.
“I saw fire!” Tyro said.
“That was just Fallon showing off for Zuko.” I said.
Tyro whipped around and faced Zuko.
“Oh.” Tyro said.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Zuko.” Zuko said.
“And I’m Tyro.”
“I came here to see Lily, but I found out about Fallon and now I want to learn more about her.”
“No. Go back to your pretty little palace. We’re fine.” I said and continued walking.
“Mommy, Zuko said something about some people being up at the palace.” Fallon said.
“Some of my old friends are up there.”
“Can we go see them?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Please?”
I sighed and looked at her. She was giving me the puppy dog face. I sighed and turned to Zuko.
“Fine. You get to learn more about her, but you are talking to her!” I said.
“Let’s go.” Zuko said.
Fallon ran over to him and jumped into his arms.
“Hi.” She said.
“Hello.” Zuko said.
Zuko put on his hat and then we began to walk. Tyro came over to me and held my hand. I leaned on him and glanced up at his expression. I could tell that he wasn’t happy. I could faintly hear Zuko and Fallon talking.
“Relax. I don’t like it either.” I said.
“What does he want to do?” He asked.
“Zuko wants to be a part of Fallon’s life, but I don’t think it’s possible.”
“I don’t like the idea of it.”
“Neither do I, but its Fallon’s decision.”
“I wonder what she’ll do.”
“Whatever she wants to.”
Fallon laughed and then tapped Zuko on the head. We walked for awhile before Fallon came over to me and pulled me over into an empty area.
“What are we doing?”I asked.
“Our routine Mommy!” Fallon said and got into her stance.
I got onto my knees and put my arms straight out. I nodded and Fallon ran towards me. She jumped, pushed off from my shoulders and did a flip over my head. I stood up and followed her with a back flip into a round off. Fallon came at me again and grabbed my hands. We flipped into the air together and she landed on my shoulders. I grabbed her and tossed her into the air were she did a twist flip and then landed on the ground. Tyro smiled and I ran towards him. He put his hands on his knee and launched me into the air. I twisted in the air and then did a back flip. I landed on my feet and got down onto my knees and put my head down. Fallon launched herself off of my back and then front flipped until she was directly in front of Zuko. She winked and then turned to watch me finish off the routine. Tyro had come up to me and was already launching me into the air. I twisted in the air, did several flips and one last twist before landing in front of Zuko and Fallon. I dropped onto my knees and opened my arms. Fallon ran into them and we were both breathing heavily.
Zuko clapped and Tyro tackled us. I laughed and Fallon burst out laughing too. We got up and I bended some water from the pouch that I was carrying. Fallon opened her mouth and I poured some in. She swallowed and then laughed. I smiled and then drank some. Tyro kissed my cheek just below my eye so I had to close my eye. I laughed and then grabbed his hand we began to walk and Fallon came up between us. She grabbed our hands and had us swing her for awhile. Then she climbed onto my shoulders and slumped onto my head. After a minute, you could hear her gentle snoring. I chuckled and then Zuko came up next to me.
“She’s amazing. You’re amazing.” Zuko said.
“Thanks. I try to be the best mother and sometimes I think Fallon shows me that I can be more than what I am. She’s incredible.” I said.
“She is part of you after all. Made from your flesh and blood.”
“And yours even if you didn’t realize it until now.”
“She likes to show off.”
“Just like you. But she has talent.”
“Like you.”
“I guess you can see her. I’ll bring her by at least once a week for now. If she wants to see you more, than I’ll make it two times a week.”
“That’s fine. I think she’ll like Aden. He’s my son.”
“We’ll see.”
“We’re almost to the palace.”
“You better explain to everyone what happened before I come in.”
“Alright.”
The rest of the way we walked in silence. Fallon woke up right before we entered the palace grounds.
“Sweetie, we have to wait out here to give Zuko time to explain what has happened.” I said.
“Okay Mommy.” Fallon said.
Fallon rubbed her eyes and I held her against my side. We waited outside in the courtyard while Zuko went into the palace. I sighed and Tyro grabbed my hand.
“It will be alright.” He whispered.
I smiled as he kissed my cheek. I put Fallon down and she looked in the pond that was in the courtyard. A little boy was running around and he came up to us.
“I’m Aden. What’s your name?” He asked.
“I’m Lily. This is Tyro and that’s my daughter Fallon.” I said.
“Nice to meet you.”
He walked over to Fallon and nudged her in the shoulder.
“Let’s go play.” Aden said.
“Okay.” Fallon said.
They ran around the courtyard and laughed for a few minutes before noises started to come from within the palace. I walked out from the tree and Fallon ran behind me.
“Lily!” someone shouted.
I looked around and saw someone fall down from above me. I noticed him just in time before he landed on me. I laughed and grabbed him into a head lock and rubbed the top of his head.
“You’re not so little anymore but you still act like a kid.” I said.
“Not fair! Katara is going to freak out when she see’s you.” Aang said.
I looked up and saw her running out of the palace. She grabbed me into a hug and lifted me off the ground.
“I’ve been so worried about you! We thought you were dead! We hadn’t heard anything from you!” Katara said as she swung me around.
Aang and Sokka tackled us at the same time so we fell onto the ground laughing. Then I heard Fallon crying. I sat up and saw her crying.
“Mommy!” She screamed.
I got up and ran over to her.
“Fallon! Why are you crying?” I asked.
“Because they were hurting you!”
I laughed and she stopped crying.
“Fallon, these are my friends.” I said.
She wiped her eyes and looked over my shoulder. I brought her over to them.
“This is Aang, Katara, and Sokka. They saved Mommy. Remember? I told you about them.” I said.
“I remember now.” Fallon said.
“Lily, you’re a mother!” Katara exclaimed.
“Didn’t Zuko explain?” I asked.
“Yes he did, but I just couldn’t believe it.”
We laughed and before long, Fallon was showing off. Mai and Zuko came out and Mai nodded at me. I nodded back before Fallon grabbed my hand.
“Mommy! Can we do our routine?” She asked.
I laughed.
“Again?” I asked.
“Yes again!” Fallon said and tugged on my arm.
“Alright. Everyone get over there. Fallon wants to show off for you some more, but this time she’s including me.”
Everyone looked around and then gathered by the pond.
“Which one should we do?” I asked Fallon.
“The one that we showed Zuko.” Fallon said.
“I’m not sure. We already did that one today. Maybe we should do the other one. Are you ready for it?”
“Yeah! Let’s do it Mommy!”
“Tyro! We’re doing the other one! Get in position!” I shouted.
Tyro went and stood in the middle of the area we had cleared out. I ran towards Tyro and grabbed his hands as he lifted them into the air. I stood on my hands which were being held up by Tyro’s. Fallon’s feet landed on mine before she did a flip. I flipped off Tyro and went into a round off and back flip when I landed. I threw up my hands as Fallon came running at me. She grabbed my hands and stood like I had. I tossed her into the air and she did a twist flip before landing on her feet. I ran towards Tyro and he launched me up into the air. I twisted around in the air before landing on my feet. I got down onto my knees and bent my head forward. Fallon launched herself off of my back and landed in front of the group she laughed before running back. We grabbed hands and then flipped into the air. She landed on my shoulders before doing a front flip and a cart-wheel. I did a round off into a cart-wheel into a back flip. I ran towards Tyro and was launched into the air. Fallon was launched right after me so we twisted in the air before grabbing hands. I flipped her up and she went higher. She did a flip and then twisted around some more. Tyro caught me and placed me on my feet. I put my foot on his hand and he launched me again. I caught Fallon’s hand as I went up and we spun around together. I let her go and she landed on her feet. I spun around once more before landing. I went onto my knees and threw up my hands. Fallon came over and climbed onto my shoulders. She held up her hands and we threw back our heads together.
I was breathing very heavily and Fallon was breathing a little heavy. Everyone burst out into a very load cheer before coming and tackling us. We all laughed and then I gave some water to Fallon. She smiled at everyone before running off with Aden again. I laid down on the grass and Tyro sat down next to me. Everyone else was already seated around me.
“That girl is going to work me to the bone.” I said.
“You? What about me? I have to toss you two into the air and hold your weight when you stand up on your hands.” Tyro said.
“True.”
“You guys were amazing!” Aang said.
“I thought Ty Lee was a great acrobat, but you guys are definitely a little bit better than her.” Suki said.
I sat up and looked at her for a moment before hugging her.
“No way! I thought we would never see each other again after I was taken.” I said.
“Well, here we are.” Suki said.
We hugged each other tightly before letting go and laughing.
“So you’re a mother?” She asked.
“Yeah! I can hardly believe it myself, but I have Fallon there to remind me everyday.” I said.
“I’m a mother myself. Reyna, Sokka’s and my daughter, are sleeping inside. She’s three also. She’ll probably be running around out here soon.”
“No way! That’s crazy!”
“I know, right?”
We paused and looked around. Everyone was starring at us.
“What?” I asked.
“How do you two know each other?” Sokka asked.
“Well, I lived on Kyoshi Island before I was kidnapped. Suki was like a sister to me. We were raised together so we were best friends. But then I was stolen when I was sixteen.” I said.
“And I thought you were a goner. But Sokka told me your story. I know everything and from what Zuko said when he arrived, it seems like you’ve been busy.” Suki said and winked.
I shoved her a little and laughed. Tyro sighed and I looked at him. He shook his head. I got up and tackled him.
“Lily!” Suki said.
“Hold on!” I said.
I sat on Tyro’s chest and looked at him.
“Something’s wrong. Tell me.” I said.
“Nothing’s wrong.” Tyro said.
“You’re not looking at me so something is obviously wrong.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t you dare make me do the unthinkable.”
“You wouldn’t in front of everyone.”
“Oh, but I would.”
“No, you don’t have the guts.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Maybe.”
I got up and dragged Tyro to his feet. I slapped him in the face.
“Now are you going to tell me?” I asked.
“No way.” Tyro said.
I crossed my arms and the looked at his scar on his cheek.
“I’ll use my whip again.” I said.
“I have a scar from the last time you used it.” Tyro said.
“Exactly.”
I drew water from my pouch and made it into an ice whip.
“Don’t make me.” I said.
“Go ahead.” Tyro said.
I jumped onto him and knocked him into the ground.
“I’ll tell them your darkest fear.” I said.
“That’s just cruel.” Tyro said.
I put my whip away into the pouch and then closed it.
“Guys, Tyro is afraid of-” I began to say but Tyro’s hand covered my mouth.
He rolled on top of me and then sat down next to me. He pulled me into his lap.
“You’re a very cruel woman.” Tyro said.
“And you love me and you are going to tell me what is wrong.” I said.
“I do love you and the reason why I am a little upset is that I have never known you’re full story until now.”
“That’s a lie. I have totally told you that I was kidnapped and everything.”
“Yeah but not living on Kyoshi Island.”
“You don’t need to know every detail of my little life. Stop being unreasonable.”
“I’m not being unreasonable.”
“I’ll splash you with cold water.”
“You really love torturing me.”
“Only when you refuse to talk or when you’re being stubborn.”
“So all the time?”
“Yup.”
The group laughed and we had to chuckle with them. I kissed his cheek before we walked back to the group. Then Fallon and Aden came back over.
“Let’s go inside.” Zuko said.
Everyone agreed. We all headed into the palace. I hesitated before walking into the one place I thought I would never set foot in again.
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