Epilogue

I sat across from Dr. June, holding the baby in my arms. He whimpered as I gave his a bottle to keep him quiet.

"Rather than torturing myself, my baby, and both men I decided it was best to seperate. Stress wasn't good for the baby." I smirked looking down at the bundle of joy.

"Well, that seems to be what was best. What about Aang?"

"We divorced. We've been co-parenting the children. He seems happier now. I released him to be with what he really love. I could never win over philanthropy or starving orphans for him."

"Divorce is hard. It seems like you're taking it well. Many women suffer from postpartum depression. Women who have miscarried have a higher chance. I want to do a quick screening to make sure you're okay."

"You don't need to do this test or whatever. I am happy. This baby makes me more happy than an empty marriage or a office fling. I deserve more than either of them. I've moved out on my own, keeping the baby. I'm looking into going back to work soon. My brother will help watch the baby for me. Trust me, I'm fine. I have had 9 months to process everything. I'm happy alone with my children."

~/~

Toph brought my things to me from my desk. I was serious about finding a new job. A job that would be more flexible for the kids.

"So the boss man is moping again. I think he's butt hurt still. His fiance' is still carrying his balls around in his pocket." She sets the box of things on the table. "It's sad you think after 9 months he'd get over it."

"Get over it! It's his fault things are tanking."

"Well you know if he really wanted to work things out, he could've brought in someone who knew how to do programming."

"I'm telling you, Iroh is a pain to work for. I wish Zuko was still the boss." Toph rolls her eyes. "You really ran him off."

"More like Baby Ursa ran me off. I need something new and what a perfect time to change than after maternity leave. Plus I got a lovely severance package." I turn on the tv and look up to see a news story that caught my eye.

"Look at your ex-hubbie." Toph exclaimed. "He shaved his head and everything! He was serious about becoming a monk!"

The news reporter talked as pictures of Aang in a traditional robe and a fully bald head: Looks like Aang will become the next Ghandi. After a recent divorce, he has devoted his life to solitude as a Tibetan monk. He is living off the philosophy of disconnecting for all earthly vessels and becoming a warrior of peace and understanding.

Aang appears on the screen looking happier than ever, "I had to forgive someone very close to me and it showed me that I had to sever ties with excess to transcend. I want to spread peace to those who are less fortunate and help release their spirits from pain like I released myself."

Aang hopes to take the knowledge he learns after being immersed as a monk for 8 months to Uganda in the summer.

The next news story went on and like a fleeting thought Aang was gone.

"So is he going to come back and see his kids orrrr"

"He told me he'd visit them every month, but the world was his child now. Whatever that means. He's connected to a higher power now according to him. I think I'm happy for him. That freedom is something I never got in our marriage. The kids still talk to him on the phone twice a week. It turns out monks can have wifi and phones now!"

We both laugh. Months ago I hate him. This divorce was the best thing that ever happened to both of us.

~/~

I push the baby carriage in the park as Kana and my son run around on the jungle gym. I keep a close eye on them and watch while they laugh and smile from ear to ear.

I stop on a park bench a few feet from the play area and enjoy the soft Autumn breeze in my face. The baby stirs in the carriage. I smile and look down at the beautiful human being who saved my life.

"Sorry I'm late." A familiar figure sits next to me.

"Yea well, your kid is cranky so watch out."

"Meh, she's cranky like her dad." The baby smiles as soon as she sees his face and he picks her up. "I wish I could have made this easier for both of us."

"No, you stepping down to spend time and raise her was the best thing for her." He places Ursa back in the stroller.

"I wasn't talking about the baby and I. I was talking about you and me. You really hurt me months ago when you choose Aang, but I want to be here for you and the baby. I meant what I said."

"And I meant what I said. I am no longer you're employee. We do not have to have anymore unnecessary contact. I'm fine with me and the children There's plenty of other programming companies. Neither one of us should dwell in the past and on a fling that was forbidden."

"You don't have to do this alone. And you think I wanted you because, it was hot to think about getting caught? Because you were married? Because I was your boss?" Zuko moves closer to me and places a hand on my thigh. "I felt a real connection to you. I don't want to give this up. Now that we have Ursa, this is a chance to start something real. I stepped down to be able to spend more time with our daughter, but also so I can be closer to you. I am not your boss anymore. We can do what we want."

"So you don't have an office kink? I could've sworn you just like screwing on your desk?"

"I mean… I did...but seriously." He grabs my hand. "I want to explore more of being together. For the past few months, you have barely spoken to me other than for appointments. Don't shut me out. I know you have feelings for me too."

A spark flared when he touched me.

"I, I have baggage. I have three kids and I'm a divorcee and I'm sad. I liked finding out who I was without Aang or you or anyone else to please." My grip on his hand tightens. "But, we can go slow."

"So that means…?"

"That means you're not moving in or anything, but it would be nice to have you around more consistently to see Ursa. For the record, I do still have feelings for you. How could I not? Look at this beautiful baby we made!"

"We can go slow and at your pace. When we first started fooling around it was rushed so I think it's best to take our time and I can understand if you need more time to recover from Aang." Zuko looks dead into my eyes. "You have to find yourself and find your own rhythm. I understand that."

For the first time in my life, I was free. I liked the sound of it. Finding the right rhythm.

"You know there's another rhythm I'd love to help you find after the kids head to bed." He traces a circle on my thigh.

"Remember. Sloooow." We both laugh knowing that something was bound to happen sooner or later between us.

"You know how you measure a rhythm in a song?" I shake my hand. "You count each beat to start. Every song has a specific heart beat. We all have a heart song thats drumming in our chests." He rests his hand on my chest. My heart beats faster against his touch. "Feel mine."

I drag my hand to his chest and feel the thump of his heart against my palm. He begins counting each time he feels my heart beat out loud.

"They match." he says softly. "The rhythm of our heart songs match. You may not be able to tell but we were meant to find each other."

"Where was all this mushy stuff before? Seemed to me you wanted to rip my clothes off. There was no talk of heart songs."

"I almost lost you. We have a daughter together. I guess it's true what they say about guys getting mushy over their girls."

I didn't know about the future but right now sitting with Zuko with the kids near, it felt right. I was going to do what felt right for me from now on, and not live for anyone else's happiness.

~/~

I lay next to him waiting for him to open his eyes and start a new day. This moment of quiet was all we had before the kids came rushing in. The kids, even my two with Aang, looked at Zuko like a second father. Although,Aang was traveling, he made sure to talk to the kids three times a week. He looked full of life and I was proud of him. I had started at a new programming firm where I am the lead programmer, so it turns out I AM the boss now. Zuko never told me how rewarding it was being the boss or stressful for that matter.

Zuko had been spending the night lately. He was great with the kids and after a year of taking things slow, we finally are together for good.

His chest rises and falls. I rest my ear on his bare chest. His heartbeat is steady like a drummer, keeping rhythm, keeping beat. It is just your heart. Yet I would never describe your heart that way. Yours is my everything.

I didn't know what the future held or if this was going to last forever, but I know I had found something that was truly right for me. Maybe I had found the right rhythm after being miserable for so long.

Who knows? Maybe our heart songs really do match and there's someone out there with the same rhythm for everyone.

Author's Note: The final chapter after years.