"I know she's mine, Toph." The woman in question sighed at the man's had dreaded this conversation ever since she found out she was having a kid. Children are terrifying enough, adding in a father who was engaged to another woman-it's a wonder if Toph had made it this far.

"I figured you would know, or at least guess." Toph shifted the sleeping infant in her arms.

"You of all people should know I have a right to be part of my kid's life. You can't keep her from me." He got straight to the point. He was never one for beating around the bush.

"And you of all people should know it's not that simple, Zuko!" Zuko took a step back in surprise. The baby started squirm, Toph quickly soothed her.

"Look, you're about to be married to and already have a another kid with Mai. Katara already told me Lin's going to be an earthbender. You know that your nation would only see her as the bastard child of the firelord-not royalty-no matter how rich my family is. Speaking of your nation, you live there and I live here in Republic city. It's not like you can just to my house and see her on weekends!" Toph spoke quietly to avoid waking Lin, yet her voice was still tense.

Zuko fired right back, however. "Mai can learn to deal with having a step-daughter, I have a fucking dragon, distance will not be a problem."

"What about the Fire Nation? I don't care for public images much, but you have one to keep!"

"Who said the Fire Nation had to know?"

Now that threw Toph off. Did he just really suggest we keep Lin a secret? Well that was certainly unexpected.

"Fire Nation nobles have had several illegitimate children, and usually they send them away not bring them into the Fire Nation, but we've never been normal." Zuko explained.

Toph found herself finding reason in his ridiculous plan. Suddenly, she started laughing quietly-and a bit bitterly.

Zuko gave her a confused look until he remembered she couldn't see it and asked why she was laughing.

"We must be the biggest idiots in the world." She said with a sad smile on her face.

"No, that would be Sokka." This time her laugh was genuinely happy.

.

.

"So did you talk to him?!" Katara was as nosy as ever, even with her few month old baby to feed.

"Yes." Toph answered shortly.

"And… what did he say?"

"We're sharing custody and hiding Lin's royal status."

Katara laughed before she noticed Toph's serious look. "You're actually doing that?! What about Lin? You think she'll enjoy being passed back and for-"

"This is for Lin! This way she'll be saved from the Fire Nation's scrutiny and still get a father! I know it isn't exactly ideal but this situation is so fucked up, I think it's a pretty good solution."

Katara was speechless. Lin is in for a hell of a life. Why couldn't they just not do each other?! Oh I shouldn't think that!

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash followed by Bumi shouting "mom". She got up with a sigh. Whether it be at Bumi's antics or Toph's situation, she couldn't tell you.

.

.

"I understand, Zuko."

"You do?"

"Yes, we took a break. I didn't wait for us to get back together either, and while I didn't end up with another kid, I understand. I also understand how you want to be there for your kid." Mai seemed to be handling this best of everyone (who would have thought?).

"Thank you, Mai. You don't know how much this means to me." Zuko was relieved she was being supportive even though it wasn't her daughter.

"That being said, I can't promise I'll be a very good stepmother."

"I'm sure you'll be fine. After all you've been a normal mother to Izumi. How different can it be?" Zuko let out a small laugh as he kissed his bride-to-be.

.

.

"Congrats on your second kid, man!" Sokka said as he clapped Zuko on the back.

Aang glanced at his insensitive brother-in-law. He then placed his own hand on Zuko shoulder comfortingly.

"You're going to be fine."

"I hope you're right."

Izumi looked at the small, moving bundle in her Aunt Toph's arms. The small baby had not impressed the two year old. Now, however, Izumi couldn't hold back a smile as Lin yawned.

I have no right to start another story, but I am Toko trash. This is ignoring canon in favor of my headcanons. That includes ages of the kids. Tenzin is six months older than Lin. Izumi is two years older than them. Kya three years older, Bumi four years older. Suyin will be six years younger than Lin. May change some other small details as I go.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.