A few hours late, but better then a few months. :P
Well, this is my last chapter for Beauty and the Beast...and I must say, this makes both proud, happy and sad. *tear* :') I cant tell you how thankful I am to all of you for sticking with me for so long and for all your encouraging reviews. *gives out friendship cookies to all*.
So this last chapter is dedicated to all of you guys and of course, my loving hubby for always being there to help me out :) Enjoy everyone!
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Chapter 22: Happily Ever After
By mid afternoon, Katara and Zuko were formally wed before their family and servants in simple yet elegant ceremony. Shortly afterwards, they all gathered inside the ballroom for the after party. Iroh then entered the room and held up his hands to gain everyone's attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you all…Prince Zuko and Princess Katara." He then stepped aside, revealing Zuko and Katara dressed in royal robes and wearing matching crowns. The crowd cheered and applauded as the couple made their way towards the middle of the room. Even Appa, who was sitting in the corner of the room, let out a roar of approval.
"May I have this dance?" Zuko asked holding out his hand.
"Of course." Katara said happily placing her hand in his. Zuko then gestured for the band to start playing and spun Katara onto the dance floor, starting their first dance together as man and wife.
From the side, Sokka, Hakoda, Iroh and Aang (with Momo on his shoulder) watched happily as the couple ballroom danced around the room.
"Can't believe my little girl is married…" Hakoda said. "To a prince no less."
"She is a wonderful girl." Iroh nodded. "I couldn't be any prouder having her as my niece."
"And what about you Sokka?" Hakoda asked. "When are you going to settle down?"
"Me settle down? Good one dad. " Sokka said arrogantly. "Now that I'm human and devilishly handsome again, I can have any girl I want. Why would I want to settle down?"
"C'mon son, there must be someone around here who catches your eye." Hakoda persisted. "Someone special who you've spent lots of time with and know really well..."
"Nope, not a-...well actually..." Sokka then stopped to think about it. "Now that you mention it...there is one..."
Suddenly he felt someone tap his shoulder and turned to see a girl with black hair and pale green eyes looking up at him. "Um, can I help you little girl?'
"Who you calling 'little' Snoozles?" the girl retorted putting her hands on her hips.
Recognizing his nick name, Sokka blinked a few times in surprise. "Toph? Is that you?"
"Well duh." Toph said flipping her hair out of her face. "How many other blind girls do you know?"
"Oh, uh sorry." Sokka said awkwardly.
"Whatever." Toph shrugged, "I just came to tell you that your girlfriend is looking for you."
"Girlfriend?" Sokka asked. Just then he heard a whistle and turned to see Ty Lee, who was wearing a poufy pink dress with bows, waving at him from across the room.
"Is that the girl you were thinking of?" Hakoda asked looking over at the cute pink maid.
"Her? No that's just Ty lee." Sokka said. Ty lee then batting her eyelashes and gestured for him to come towards her.
"I think she wants you to come over son." Hakoda said in amusement.
Sokka grinned and slicked back his hair as he proceeded on toward her. He had walked halfway across the dance floor when he felt someone roughly grab his arm. "Hey what the-?"
"There you are Sokka." Suki said as she turned him to face her. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"You have?" Sokka asked.
"You were supposed to help me in the kitchen after the ceremony remember?" Suki explained as she dragged him off to the side. "I had to send Toph to go look for you."
"Yes, she was that desperate." Toph shrugged.
"Oh…wait." Sokka said casting a glance at Ty Lee and then Suki. "So you're the-"
"Whatever, it doesn't matter now." Suki said in a huff. "So did I miss anything?"
"Nothing much. Zuko and Katara just started their wedding dance." he said gesturing to the couple.
"Aww." Suki smiled as she watched them dance. "How lovely. I couldn't be any happier for them. You must be too."
"Yeah I guess." Sokka said folding his arms casually. "Still kinda weird having to watch your little sister marry your boss though, but I guess having a prince as an in-law isn't the worst thing."
"No arguments there." Suki said. As they continued to watch, Suki cast a side way glance at Sokka and began fidgeting with her dress. "You know things are going to be different now, what with the spell being broken and all. It gives everyone a chance for a new beginning...it gives 'us' a chance for a new beginning."
Sokka then glancing toward her, getting the hint that she was trying to tell him something. "Yeah it does...so what does that mean?"
"Well...I was thinking-" Suki paused and felt her face flush as Sokka looked expectantly at her. She then awkwardly held her hand out to him. "How about you and I forget this silly ongoing feud between us? Let bygones be bygones and just start over?"
Sokka looked confused and frowned slightly in disappointment, but nonetheless shook her hand. "Sure. I would like nothing better."
"Great!" Suki squeaked out. "I mean uh...great."
A thought then occurred to Sokka as Suki reluctantly pulled her hand away. He never realized before now he really felt about Suki, nor did he ever think of how she could feel about him. Wanting to know for sure, Sokka formed an idea.
"By the way…I was right you know." he said casually.
"About what?" Suki asked.
"I told you Katara would be the one to break the spell." Sokka said smugly.
Suki blinked in surprise and laughed slightly. "Uh…I think your mistaken Sokka. I believe I was the one who told you that."
"No you didn't." Sokka shook his head. "I'm defiantly the one who called it."
"You most certainly did not!" Suki said indignantly.
"I most certainly did too!" Sokka said back.
"You pompous, arrogant, jerk!" Suki shouted getting up in his face.
"You bossy, stuck up, neat freak!" Sokka retorted getting closer to her face.
"Meat head!"
"Brown noser!"
"Loud mouth!"
"Big mouth!"
"Ugh!" Suki shouted in exasperation. "You make me so mad! I could just…just…!"
"Kiss me?"
"What?"
Suddenly Sokka grabbed her around the waist and dipped her. He then leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
Completely taken off guard, Suki just stood motionless, her heart beating quickly in her chest as stars exploded before her eyes. Then as Sokka deepened the kiss, she felt herself melt into his arms and gradually she closed her eyes and kissed him back. She wrapped her arms around his neck as Sokka pulled her back up and they continued to kiss for what felt like an eternity.
When they finally parted, Suki's face was so red that not even her make-up couldn't hide it. Sokka too had gone a little red and appeared to have been completely taken off guard by how wonderful the kiss had been. He had kissed dozens of girls before but none had felt like that.
"Wow…" Suki said looking at him.
"Yeah…wow…" Sokka repeated.
"So…" Suki went on. "What was that for?"
"Well I was thinking that…since we know each other so well and have spent so much time together…and since I consider you a real special person to me..." Sokka asked nervously. "Maybe you'd wanna be my girlfriend?"
Suki's eyes lit up in excitement. "Of course I do!" she then hugged Sokka tightly. "Oh Sokka…you have no idea how long I waited to hear you say that."
Sokka smiled as she held her close. "Me too."
"So now that we're a couple, you'll stop chasing after other girls right?" Suki asked.
Sokka paused and then laughed awkwardly. "Well uh…ha ha…yeah sure thing."
Suki then pulled away and looked at him sternly. "You ARE going to stop chasing after girls right?"
"Hey I think someone's calling me, I better go over and see." Sokka said as he quickly rushed away.
"Sokka you jerk, get back here this instant!" Suki shouted as she chased after him.
As Suki yelled after Sokka, Ty Lee watched sadly from the side and sighed. "I knew it…always another girl…"
"Excuse me pretty lady."
Ty Lee then turned around and was surprised to see a young man with long dark hair and a mustache smiling back at her.
"Haru?" Ty lee asked.
"Yeah it's me." Haru said rubbing his head awkwardly. "Um…I got something for you." he then held up a bouquet of pink roses and handed it to her.
"Oh Haru they're beautiful!" Ty lee said taking the bouquet. "How'd you know they were my favorite flowers?"
"I had a hunch…listen Ty Lee," Haru said nervously. "I really really like you. I know I'm not as charming as Sokka but if you give me a chance-"
He was then cut off as Ty Lee tackled hugged him to the ground and began covering his face in kisses. When she got up, Haru was covered in lipstick marks and had a dazed look in his eyes.
"Wowie…" Haru said as he stared dizzily toward the ceiling.
"Want me to give you a tour of the broom closet?" Ty lee asked grinning at him.
"Sure!" Haru said getting off the ground as TyLee grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door.
At the corner of the ballroom, the village fighters sat in a depressed state, watching everyone else enjoying the festivites.
"Now that Jet's gone…what becomes of us?" Smellerbee asked.
"Well we can't return to town." Pipsqueak said. "It'd be too humiliating to tell people that we were beaten up by enchanted furniture."
"So what do we do then?" The Duke asked.
They all thought for a moment before Smellerbee said. "Move somewhere else and get jobs?"
"Yeah right, like anyone would hire us." Sneers replied. "Where would we even start to look for jobs?"
"Excuse me gentlemen, I couldn't help but overhear." Iroh interrupted as he approached the table. "If its jobs you're all looking for, I hear they are plenty of openings right here at the palace. A lot of the servants are moving out and the Prince could always use more helping hands."
The fighters looked between themselves thinking over Iroh's proposition.
"Well…we are already used to taking orders." The Duke said optimistically.
"And at least this prince guy isn't a jerk." Smellerbee added. "What do you think LongShot?"
LongShot looked at Smellerbee for a moment and gave a small nod and thumbs up.
As the fighters began discussing their plans, Iroh walked back to Aang who looked at him curiously. "Which of the servants are leaving Iroh?"
"I am Aang." Iroh said. "Being a servant has been nice and all but the time has come for me to retire. I believe a change of scenery will do me good."
"But where will you go?" Aang asked. "What will you do?"
"Oh that's easy. I'm going to open my own teashop in a nearby town, so I can spend my days brewing tea and playing pi sho whenever I wish."
As Aang thought it over, Momo chirped something to him which made him smile. "Momo has a point. If you're gonna retire, then we're gonna retire too. I always wanted to run a business and I'd be more than willing to help you out… if you'll have me that is."
"I would like nothing better…partner." Iroh said holding out his hand. Aang smiled and shook Iroh's hand before giving a loving hug. Momo then leapt onto Iroh's shoulder and licked his cheek.
Just then the music stopped and everyone applauded as Zuko and Katara bowed graciously to each other and then to the crowd.
"Are they gonna live happily ever after Iroh?" Aang said as he applauded.
"Of course they are Aang." Iroh said happily. "Of course."
Aang then had a brief thought cross his mind. "So, when we get our own place…will I still have to sleep in the cupboard?"
Iroh looked at Aang in surprise and laughed heartily. "We'll discuss it. In the meantime, why don't you ask someone to dance?"
"Sure!" Aang said as he began looking around the room. Momo then chirped loudly and flew off Aang's shoulder. Looking behind him, Aang instantly noticed a girl with wild hair in a pink dress out of the corner of his eye, sitting alone next to the villagers table. Seeing how sad and lonely she looked, Aang walked over to her.
"Hey there!" Aang waved cheerfully.
Meng looked up at the bald boy and blinked in surprise. "Um hi. Can I help you?"
"Wanna dance?" Aang asked.
Meng looked to both sides before pointing to herself. "You're talking to me?"
"Of course." Aang smiled as he extended his hand to her. Meng blushed and smiled as she took Aang's hand and walked with him onto the dance floor. They then began waltzing around the room as Meng happily laid her head on Aang's shoulder.
"Hey Aang's got the right idea." Sokka said glancing at Suki. "Care to dance?"
"You sure there isn't some other girl around here you'd rather ask?" Suki asked in snide tone.
"Nope. Now stop being angry and dance with me." He then grabbed Suki's hand and dragged her onto the dance floor. At first she was still peeved, but one small kiss on the cheek from Sokka was enough to get her to smile.
Haru and Ty lee then emerged from the kitchen, their hair all disheveled and giggling among themselves. Hearing the music, Haru then picked up Ty lee in his arms and together they twirled onto the dance floor, followed shortly by Smellerbee and Longshot and then by the other servants and freedom fighters. In the corner, Momo had landed in front of Appa and chirped something to him. Appa responded with a growl and began shaking his head to the music while Momo began hopping around to the beat.
"Looks like everyone's getting into the dancing spirit." Hakoda said looking at all the couples. "Hey Iroh, we better get a move on before all the good ones are taken."
"You're absolutely right Hakoda." Iroh agreed. "Toph?" he asked turning to the blind girl. "Would you honor me with a dance?"
"Why not?" Toph said as she held out her hand and let Iroh escort her onto the dance floor. Iroh then turned and winked, much to Hakoda's amusement.
Soon the only people that weren't dancing were the newlyweds. While everyone was waltzing, Zuko and Katara had gone out on the balcony for privacy.
"This is all so wonderful Zuko." Katara smiled as she held his hands affectionately. "So now that we're married, where do we go from here?"
"I want thinking of visiting the Fire Nation mainland and making myself known to all the royal sages and governors." Zuko said. "It's time I reclaimed my family's throne and learned how to act like a real ruler."
"That's a great idea." Katara agreed. "And while we're there, we can explore the Fire Nation capital and see the Imperial City."
"Of course." Zuko agreed. "But why stop there? How about for our honeymoon, we explore the entire Fire Nation? We can find all the locations we read about in the Avatar stories. Like the red mountains from 'The Puppetmaster', with the witch who would capture people and bury them under the mountain during the full moon."
"Oh right! Or what about that fishing town with the river spirit from 'The Painted Lady'?" Katara added.
"And then of course there's Ember Island..."
"Ooh Ember Island! Let's go there first!" Katara said excitedly grabbing his arm. "I want to see the beaches and the markets. And of course the theater house!"
Zuko smiled and gently caressed her cheek. "I love how your eyes light up when you're excited." Katara blushed and slipped her hand over Zuko's.
"By the way, I have something for you." Zuko then reached into the pocket of his robes and took out a long narrow box.
"What is it?" Katara asked as he handed it to her. She then untied the ribbon and took off the cover. Inside lay a long stemmed red rose. Katara smirked at Zuko. "Well, doesn't this seem familiar."
"That's not just any rose. Pick it up."
Katara smiled and held up the rose, which felt a lot heavier then a normal rose should be. She then instantly noticed the shine and realized it was made of a carved gem. "Is this ruby?"
"Diamond. I thought maybe this would be better then a ring." Zuko explained putting a hand on her shoulder. "It doesn't matter if it takes that rose another ten years or even a hundred years to bloom. Because it'll last forever...just like my love for you."
"Zuko..." Katara said smiling affectionatly. She then hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek.
Zuko blushed slightly then raised his head as the band started playing a new song. Getting a look in his eye, Zuko stood up and bowed before Katara. "Dance with me?"
"As you wish." Katara said with a smile. Setting the rose in its box, she lent Zuko her hand and stood up. He then escort her to the middle of the balcony and together they began to dance gracefully to the music.
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
As they slowed to a waltz, Zuko gentle lifted up Katara chin and looked deeply into her bright blue eyes. He then leaned down and gently kissed her lips, holding her body firmly against his. Katara closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Zuko, kissing him with the love and passion she possessed. Truly, for this beauty and this beast, this was their happily ever after.
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
~*~*THE END*~*~
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"And now, the end it near...and so I face, the final curtain..." :) Well that's it. Hope you all enjoyed this re-telling of Beauty and the Beast and of course, don't forget to check out my newest story The Lion King: Avatar Style! I'm still working on the third chapter but it will be up soon. Ciao everyone! and thank you :)