"On this day today, it is with the greatest pleasure that I introduce to the Fire Nation its next Fire Princess: Izumi." Zuko's voice boomed as the crowd erupted into cheers while he held his daughter by his chest.

You even held hands with Katara as your eyes grew wet. This was such an emotional time for you. The entire nation had to acknowledge your child now. Your half-swamp, half-fire child who you hadn't meant to have and who you risked your relationship to raise how you thought you wanted.

It weren't even worth it! You laughed to yourself. I gave in anyway!

And it was true; Izumi would be the next Fire Lord, with or without fire bending.

And oddly, you felt okay with that. As you looked around the balcony, you saw your friends and Izumi's new family. Powerful, independent, strong, intelligent, brave and complex people stood around this tiny baby girl as she received the weight of a nation thrust upon her shoulders, just as her father did years ago.

Zuko continued to talk on things like loyalty, friendship, love and admiration. He spoke on his love for his Uncle and the support and how he would be stepping in to assist with the business of the Fire Nation in the early months of his daughter's life-- partially true.

And then, he said something that made your jaw drop.

"And to the mother of my child. Despite coming from different places, different backgrounds and even different mindsets, I believe that we will be able to raise Izumi to be the strongest Fire Lord yet. In fact, it is these differences that make her and I so well suited to parent together. And even if I do not or cannot present her to my beloved nation... Even if Izumi has flaws as she grows stronger... I know that our bond together will be strong. Like a circle made of stone, my love for you is strong and infinite. Like water, it flows freely. Like the Avatar has taught me about air; even when gentle, my love will be powerful. It will be passionate like firebending is--" He received a roar from the crowd here. "And I promise that my love for both you and our daughter runs through my veins like blood. So to my Nation I declare that I shall not be taking a wife unless it is the mother of my child. And before I can do that, I must find peace between the nations. And that means a fair solution for all."

Tears ran down your face as you held onto the necklace that Zuko had given you so long ago now. He was giving you his vows. Perhaps not wedding vows; but vows in their own right. And nothing could have felt more real or more binding in that moment than every single word that came out of his mouth.

You were ready to help Zuko in any adventure he needed or wanted to go on. And the next one, would be finding his mother.