Another Sukka story! This is the sequel to "What's Left Of Him." The first one was originally going to be just one story, but since some readers really liked it, I thought it'd be fun to write a sequel. This can be read as a standalone, too, but there will be references to the first story. Knowing a bit about the original story may be helpful.

Due to some saying it was too hard to read I've edited it into chapters.

Guys please take a minute to review, it would mean a lot to me. Any feedback is welcomed.

Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA or these characters.

Those first several months after the power struggle for Republic City were slow and painful. The pain of the horrors that the people endured under the terror of the Triad gang was still fresh in their minds. The city was just getting back on its feet. The economy was being stabalized and numerous trials were held for the gang members who were captured alive.

It was also a time of mourning and commemorating the deaths of a multitude of brave souls who fought to defend their land of freedom. Soldiers, police officers, council members, and more lost their lives in the battle against Yakone's crazed yet now deceased partner who'd taken over the Triad shortly after Yakone was defeated by Avatar Aang.

But the death that perhaps hurt the infant nation the most was the loss of their beloved Councilman Sokka. Sokka, a warrior who saved his family's lives and even the city itself by sacrificing his safety and life against Run Yi, the vicious Triad blood bending leader. He'd killed Run Yi, but was killed himself in the process.

The memories, even years later, mean something to everyone.

For the citizens of the Republic, it is an agonizing memory they wanted to forget. For the rest of the world, it's a bitter chapter that has been sealed. But to each of the war heroes, it was a day of tragic loss and heartache. The day everything they worked so hard to build was almost anilhated. The day they relived many horrors of war. And the day they lost one of their own. For Katara, it was the day she lost her big brother, her protector, and the last living relative of her Southern family. For Aang, it was the loss of one of his allies and greatest companions, and a man who was his older brother. For Zuko, it was the death of his closest friend and brother. For Toph, it was the loss of her dearest friend and partner in crime, one of the few who truly understood her. For Lin, it was the loss of another father in her life. The Avatar's children that day lost their beloved uncle, who always put smiles on their faces and spoiled them rotten. And for Suki, it was the loss of her husband and love of her life. And it was also the day her children were left fatherless.

Each year on the dreadful anniversary, the members of this honorary family stand in front of the statue of the fallen councilman, silently mourning and reflecting on who he was, and what he left behind.

The first few years were very difficult for everyone, especially Suki and her son. The two felt an enormous void in their little family that nothing could fill. No one else could truly take Sokka's place in their lives. For Suki, her husband had been the only man she'd ever loved so deeply. And for Hakoda, the only man he'd ever looked up to was his father.

About a month after Sokka's death, Suki received the most shocking, heartbreaking, and yet joyous news; she was pregnant with her second child. His child.

The reactions to the news were very diverse. While everyone was happy for her and eagerly awaited the newest addition to their group, they were saddened. The lingering loss of their warrior was still fresh in their minds, and this seemed to amount to their distress and knowledge that he was gone.

There was sadness, that Suki would have to raise the baby on her own, that Hakoda would have to step up and take on his father's responsibilities, and worst of all, that the child would never get to know its father. But at the same time, this child was a glimmer of hope. The hope for a better future, and the promise that Sokka was still present in some form. This precious little life was evidence that he would not be forgotten. Suki was distraught at first, but then fiercely determined to raise the child to be someone he'd be proud of. This child was the last thing she had left of her husband.

Although her passion and strong front were admirable, her second pregnancy was very hard on her. Suki spent months often longing for her husband to come in, hold her at night, caress her swollen stomach, and coo and speak tenderly to the child growing inside her, just as he had done when she'd been pregnant with Hakoda.

But she wiped her tears and allowed her growing love for the life inside her to lift her dampened spirits. Hakoda was coping with the loss of his dad, but fiercely promised to take care of his family, and helped his mother with everything he could. He was there throughout her pregnancy as her main source of support and comfort. The fact that he looked so much like Sokka seemed to sometimes harm his mother emotionally, and others it was her only consolation.

The rest of the group were very supportive. Katara would often visit her brother's widow and spend time with her, give her healing sessions and regular check ups to see how the fetus was fairing. Aang would always stop by and insist they stay at the temple once in a while. Zuko would stay over their home whenever he was in the city and promise that his own newborn son, Lu Ten, and this child would most likely become the best of friends. Toph and Lin would be there and share Suki and Hakoda's grief, for they knew how it felt to lose a husband and father. And the cloud babies, especially Bumi, would be there for their cousin.

Roughly nine months after the tragedy, new life and hope sprung into the world.

Katara was aiding her in giving birth on Air Temple Island, and the entire time, the Kyoshi woman called out for Sokka, while her son desperately held her hand. Aang, Zuko and Toph were there to lend emotional support, while Mai and Ty Lee waited outside with the rest of the group's kids.

After several excruciating hours, the child was born. It was a healthy baby boy, who screamed his entrance into the world.

As Suki now held her new baby boy close, tears cascaded freely down her cheeks. Her tears of joy of this precious moment mingled with those of sadness about Sokka's absence at his child's birth.

But as she lay there, tired and spent from giving birth, her auburn locks plastered to her sweaty forehead, her cheeks puffy from crying, and her two boys there with her, the Kyoshi leader knew this was where she was meant to be.

The boy, she noted, looked very much like her. She had hoped many times over the duration of her pregnancy that the baby would look like him. But now that she was face to face with her son, she knew it did not matter. No matter what, this boy was still their child- something they created together.

The baby had creamy skin like hers, only a shade darker. Suki saw many of her own features; her nose, her same cheek bones, the heart shaped face, and the shape of her eyes. When the boy opened his eyes, Suki saw her own violet irises starring back at her.

The newborn had Sokka's wild brown Water Tribe hair, his strong jaw line and his mouth. There seemed to be little of him in the boy, just as there seemed to be little of her in their first son. But when Suki looked deeply into the baby's eyes, she saw something achingly familiar.

Katara, who was exhausted from helping with the labor and had dried tear tracks on her cheeks, placed a hand on Suki's shoulder as she sat beside her on the cot.

"He's so beautiful, Suki," she whispered with emotion as she looked at her nephew.

"I know," whispered the mother as she cradled the baby close. "Hello little one. We've been waiting for you."

Everyone simply stood silently for a moment, soaking in the beauty and wonder of the moment.

Finally, Suki looked up to her first born, who was starring intently at the infant. The woman smiled and held her arms out to the teenager.

"Hakoda," she began, as her son's painstakingly familiar blue eyes focused in on her. "Sweetheart, you've been an amazing help to me this entire time. Ever since your dad-" she swallowed painfully. "passed, you've been there for me, you've been my source of strength to carry on. You've comforted me and supported me throughout my pregnancy. It's only right that you hold him first."

Hakoda, who was frozen in shock, nodded slowly. He awkwardly received the baby into his arms as his mother readjusted his hold on the child. When he finally had a secure hold on the baby, he looked down and those violet eyes bore into his azure ones. The fifteen year old's heart swelled with love and brotherly pride. He would do anything to protect this boy. He made a promise to his father he was planning to keep.

Hakoda gently brought a tanned finger to stroke the baby's cheek, marveling at the tiny form that was his little brother. His ocean blue eyes were glazed over with love and a tint of pain.

"Hy little bro," the teen warrior whispered as the infant snuggled into his broad chest. "I'm your big brother. Welcome to the world. It's great to finally have you here. I promise I'll always protect you. I know our dad isn't here, but I'll teach you all about him. And I know he would've loved you."

After a few more tender moments, Suki gave Katara a turn to hold the baby.

The Water Tribe woman's tears rolled out of her icy cobalt eyes and memories of the birth of her eldest nephew flooded her mind. She could still remember the beaming pride in her brother's eyes. And she knew that wherever he was, he had that same look now.

"What's his name, Suki?" She questioned as she softly carded her hand through her nephew's unruly hair.

Suki smiled. "Jian. It means "carrier of greatness" in the old language of Kyoshi Island."

"He will be great," the healer agreed as she passed the boy off to Aang's strong yet gentle arms. "And I know he'll make his father proud."

Aang starred down at his new nephew, tears swimming in his stormy grey eyes. As he reached down one tattooed hand and Jian gripped his finger, he silently promised to always look out for the boy. He had failed to save his surrogate big brother's life. The least he could do was look after his children.

"I'm your Uncle Aang," he soothed the kicking, swaddled bundle. "And I'll always be here for you. No matter what, little Jian, you are part of Team Avatar. You'll always have a place with us here."

The Kyoshi woman bit her bottom lip nervously before voicing her thoughts to the airbender. "Aang?"

The monk looked up to her.

"I was wondering," she began, choosing her words carefully. "You were Sokka's brother, and one of his best friends. And he'd want someone he really trusted to be this to Jian. I was wondering, if you'd be Jian's godfather?"

Aang's gray eyes widened in surprise and his mouth opened slightly, but he made sure to still hold Jian securely.

"I mean only if you want to, of course!" Se blurted out. "You don't have to- I just thought I mean, Sokka loved you like a brother. Jian will want a male role model in the group, and since Zuko is already Hakoda's godfather, I figured-"

Aang held up a hand to detain her explanations. A genuine smile spread across his face as he lovingly ran a hand over Jian's head. "It'd be an honor," he answered her. "Thank you, Suki."

The mother nodded and smiled graciously. "Thank you for doing this."

The master of four elements planted a small kiss on his new godson's head before passing him off.

Toph, still clad in her police chief uniform since she'd just rushed over from police headquarters upon hearing news of the birth, awkwardly took the baby into her arms, Aang carefully guiding her ministrations- she hadn't held a fragile newborn since her own daughter had been that age over a decade ago.

She softly placed her hand over Jian's chest. Her normally steely expression softened so significantly that no one other than her closest friends would think this was Toph Beifong.

"He sounds really healthy, Suki," she told the new mother. "And his heartbeat is really steady and already strong- it feels just like Sokka's was."

Suki thanked her friend as she received her son. She looked over to the Fire Lord, who was standing near the door uncomfortably, with his arms crossed over his chest.

Suki almost laughed at his facial expression. He'd already fathered two children, one whom was almost a year old, and yet births still made him flounder in a comical way.

"Zuko," she beckoned the monarch over. "Why don't you hold him?"

"Uh, I'm not sure that's a-," he replied uncertainly as the baby was deposited into his strong grip. But as he cradled the baby into his embrace, he gained confidence and smiled slightly.

"Hey buddy. I'm Uncle Zuko. You know my son is just a little older than you. I'm sure you guys will get along. And I'll always be here for you, my honorary nephew."

The Fire Lord looked over his new nephew once more before handing him back to his mother. "He looks just like you," he commented.

The female warrior looked up at her friends and then turned her gaze lovingly back to her baby boy. "He may look like me, but he reminds me of him. There's a good dose of Sokka in there."

As little Jian slumbered peacefully in his mother's loving embrace, Suki felt a comforting presence around the room. A tender, familiar warmth enveloped her entire being.

Fresh tears filled the woman's eyes, for she knew he was there. He was there, watching this precious moment.

And in her heart, she knew he was smiling beautifully at them.