Chapter 36: A Hero’s Welcome.

As soon as the call rang out—“Sentinels returning!”—the gates of Green Arbor sprang to life. People rushed forward, hearts pounding with relief, fear, and anticipation. The moment they saw Ava, battered and bruised but standing, a heavy silence fell.

Eli’s face paled, his hand tightening into a fist. “Ava…”

Miko, eyes wide, barely whispered, “What happened to her?”

Talon, trying to mask his own concern, grinned. “I’ve seen her worse. She’s probably putting it on for attention,” he quipped, hoping to lighten the mood as they all quickly surrounded Ava and Lucas, helping them inside the tavern to sit and recover.

The warm glow of lanterns cast a comforting light over the group. Familiar faces gathered around, expressions shifting from surprise to smiles, as people cheered and offered pats on the back, glad to have their heroes home.

Selene, Talon’s mother, approached Ava, her face a mixture of gratitude and hesitation, as if testing the bounds of her new reality here. She reached out, resting a gentle hand on Ava’s uninjured arm, her voice barely a whisper, filled with the vulnerability of someone not yet accustomed to the safety of Green Arbor. “Thank you… thank you for all you did. Bringing my Talon back…” She faltered, glancing at Talon, emotions clouding her expression.

Ava managed a weak smile. “It’s what we do,” she said softly.

Talon, noticing the intensity, took the opportunity to lift everyone’s spirits. He leaped onto a stool, raising his drink with a grin. “So, there we were,” he began, drawing everyone’s attention. “Five floors up in a building held together by duct tape. No way out but the door—and that door had a wall of syndicate brutes waiting on the other side.”

The crowd leaned in, hanging onto his every word. “And that’s when I looked over at our fearless Ava, and she gives me this grin—you know the one,” he said, casting a look toward Ava, who chuckled, knowing exactly what he meant. “The one that says, ‘I’m about to do something insane, so you better keep up.’”

People laughed, picturing Ava’s usual daring, reckless smile.

“So next thing I know,” Talon continued, “she’s charging at the biggest guy in the room—Big Bob himself. And I swear, the guy was like a mountain. She’s got her blade, and she’s dodging punches like she’s dancing.”

The crowd erupted as Talon mimed dodging in exaggerated, clumsy moves, imitating Big Bob’s sluggish swings.

“She’s putting up a hell of a fight,” Talon went on, “but this guy just won’t go down. It’s like punching a brick wall. And there she is, cussing at him between punches. I hear her shout, ‘Will you just fucking die already!’ Like she’s asking him to politely roll over!”

The tavern roared with laughter. Even Ava, despite her injuries, couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head.

Talon leaned in, lowering his voice for dramatic effect. “But Blondie being Blondie, she doesn’t just let things end there. She’s not only determined to take him down—no, she decides to throw him out a damn window!”

The crowd gasped, then laughed as Talon threw his hands up. “Five floors up, people! She rolls him right out the window and then—*whoosh*—uses him as a landing pad!”

A cheer erupted, and the laughter swelled. Ava gave Talon a mock glare, clearly enjoying his version of the story. “Talon, if you make me sound like that much of a lunatic, no one’s ever going to take me seriously.”

He shrugged, grinning back. “I’m just telling it like it happened.”

As the laughter died down, Eli approached Ava, his expression a mix of relief and affection. “I want to kiss you and hug you,” he said, hesitant, “but I’m not sure if I should.”

Ava tilted her face toward him, pointing to her uninjured cheek. “Right here, Eli. It’s safe.”

Eli leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. “I’m glad you’re back, Ava,” he murmured, his voice filled with genuine warmth.

Little Ava peeked around the corner, clinging to Jess’s leg, her eyes wide with fear at seeing her aunt looking so hurt.

Ava noticed and softened, extending her good arm with a gentle smile. “Hey, little one. It’s still me… just a bit banged up.”

The little girl hesitated, then slowly made her way over, her eyes filling with tears. “Auntie Ava?”

Ava gave her a reassuring smile and opened her good arm wide. Little Ava rushed in, burying her face against her. Despite the pain, Ava wrapped her good arm around her, pressing a soft kiss to her hair. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Just a few bumps and bruises.”

Jess approached, shaking her head. “I thought we all agreed—no more risks.”

Ava let out a breathy laugh. “Sorry, Jess. Old habits die hard.”

Jess chuckled, patting Ava on the shoulder. “And thankfully, so do you,” she replied, giving her a wink.

Miko joined, looking Ava up and down with a smirk. “So, Blondie, was it as bad as they say? How many ribs this time?”

Ava scoffed, giving him a playful glare. “Maybe two,” she replied, her voice tinged with mock annoyance. “But don’t tell anyone—it might ruin my reputation.”

Meanwhile, Selene stood nearby, observing her son’s bond with his friends. Watching the way they laughed, teased, and rallied around each other, her heart warmed with both joy and unfamiliarity. This was a side of Talon she had scarcely dared to hope for, a glimpse into the life he’d built here—a family she never imagined he would find. Jess, noticing Selene’s quiet gaze, turned to her, her own eyes softening.

“He’s made a real home here, hasn’t he?” Jess said gently.

Selene nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “He has… it’s because of all of you that he’s found this,” she replied, her tone filled with both gratitude and awe.

Jess gave her a reassuring smile. “And you’re part of it now, Selene.”

Selene’s smile was faint, tentative, but there was a glimmer of peace in her expression—a feeling that, for the first time in years, she was safe, truly safe, with her son nearby and surrounded by people who cared deeply.

As the night wore on, the tavern buzzed with laughter and the comforting clink of glasses. Ava sat at the center of it all, surrounded by those who had waited for her with such fervent hope. Despite her bruises, she felt a rare sense of calm.

Talon sat across from her, a proud, relieved grin on his face. “To Ava and Lucas!” he declared. “For their sheer bloody-mindedness, their bravery, and their absolute inability to just walk away when things get rough. And to all of us—for sticking together, come hell or high water. Here’s to more adventures and, hopefully, fewer near-death experiences!”

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The room erupted in cheers. Ava caught Talon’s eye, a look of gratitude passing between them as they raised their glasses, understanding more than words could ever say.

As the laughter and applause faded, Miko leaned forward, his eyes glinting with curiosity. “So, was that fight with Big Bob your toughest yet?” he teased.

Ava smirked, raising her glass for another sip. “Big Bob? Please. I’ve had tougher scraps with Jess over a card game.”

The tavern was lively, a hum of conversation and laughter filling the air as mugs clinked and stories were swapped. Talon suddenly stood, raising his voice over the noise. "Oh, so *Bookworm*, you're telling me you saved Ava?" His tone was playful, but it caught the room’s attention. A chorus of *woo!* and laughter erupted, heads turning toward Lucas.

Ava, leaning back in her chair with Little Ava perched on her lap, raised an eyebrow and nodded toward Lucas. "It’s true," she said with a small grin. "The Bookworm actually saved me."

Lucas glanced up from his drink, a modest smile tugging at his lips. “Well, I helped a bit,” he said, downplaying his role.

"Come on, then, Lucas!" someone called out from the back. The room quickly joined in, chanting his name. “Lucas! Lucas!”

Ava chuckled, patting Little Ava on the back as she gave Lucas an encouraging nod. “Go on. Tell them.”

Lucas set his drink down, standing up as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Alright, alright,” he started, his voice steady but touched with humor. “I was sitting on the edge of the woods near Dust Haven…”

“Hey, we’re not at the school now, Bookworm! Don’t leave out the bad words!” Talon interjected, drawing another round of laughter.

Lucas smirked, shaking his head. “Fine, fine,” he continued. “Talon had told me to stay at the camp, and at first light, head to the first post to get help. But knowing the twins like I do, I figured trouble wouldn’t wait for first light.”

Ava snorted quietly, her expression amused but fond as she adjusted Little Ava on her lap.

“So, I moved closer to the town,” Lucas went on, his voice growing more animated, “and sat there, waiting and listening. Now, with those two, I wasn’t waiting for peace and quiet—I was waiting for a damn war to break out.” He paused for effect, the tavern hanging on his words. “And then I heard it. The unmistakable sound of a bike, tearing through the town like a bat out of hell.”

Ava smirked at the memory, her eyes glinting.

“I thought, *That’s got to be Blondie,*” Lucas continued, motioning toward Ava. “And just as I figured, shots rang out right after. So, I knew—oh yeah, it’s one of the twins.”

The tavern chuckled at that, Talon clapping a hand on Lucas’s shoulder. “You didn’t run the other way?” he teased.

“Not a chance,” Lucas replied, shaking his head. “I needed to get to them. So I hopped into the jeep and tore through the woods as fast as I could. Then I saw it—a vehicle, parked on the edge of the clearing, with a few men outside.”

Lucas paused, glancing toward Talon with a sly smile. “And I thought, *What would Talon do?*”

The tavern erupted into laughter, Talon throwing up his hands. “He’s learning!”

“So,” Lucas continued, waiting for the laughter to settle, “I floored it. Rammed that damn vehicle with the jeep and jumped out like I knew what I was doing. Took a few of them down with my rifle before they could even react.”

Ava’s expression softened, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she listened. Little Ava tilted her head, watching the adults with wide eyes.

“And just as I was reloading,” Lucas said, his voice quieter now, “I saw her—Blondie, standing up, covered in dust, looking like hell but grinning like she’d won the fight.”

The tavern erupted in cheers, raising their mugs in celebration. Talon gave Lucas a firm pat on the back, his grin wide. “Well done, brother.”

Ava, her gaze meeting Lucas’s across the room. Her expression was unreadable for a moment, then softened into something quieter, more sincere. She nodded at him and mouthed, *Thank you.*

Lucas nodded back, his small smile returning as he sat down, the noise of the tavern roaring around them. Ava, settling back into her seat, tightened her arm around Little Ava, her thoughts elsewhere for just a moment before the tavern’s lively energy pulled her back.

Everyone laughed, the jokes continuing as Jess whispered to Ava, “Don’t you ever want one of these for yourself?” nodding toward little Ava asleep in her lap.

Ava’s smile softened, her gaze distant. “No, people like me don’t get kids. The way I live… I’d worry they’d just inherit the madness.”

Jess patted her arm. “The darkness isn’t something you carry—it’s something you face. And that’s different, Ava.”

Ava fell silent, watching little Ava sleep. The warmth of Jess’s words touched a part of her that rarely softened.

Later, as the night wore on and little Ava stirred, murmuring, “Auntie Ava?” Ava smiled, hugging her close. Jess caught Selene’s eye, and they shared a knowing glance, each grateful for the family they’d found here, the family that had come together in the face of everything.

They all raised one last toast to the family they had built and vowed to protect.

A little later, as the tavern quieted, people lingered in small groups, sharing final words, smiles, and tired but heartfelt laughter. Little Ava had fallen fast asleep in her aunt's lap, and the soft crackling of the fire gave a peaceful rhythm to the scene.

Ava glanced around, her gaze lingering on each person. Eli was leaning against the bar, quietly talking to Jess, who nodded along, a gentle smile lighting her face. Miko and Talon were sharing one last joke, Talon's laughter ringing out, unrestrained and easy. Selene sat off to the side, observing with quiet gratitude, her hand resting on a half-empty mug of tea. She caught Ava’s eye and gave her a small nod, a silent acknowledgment of everything Ava had done, not only for Talon but for herself.

Jess, standing near the bar with Eli, caught sight of Callie tucked away in a quieter corner. A knowing smile crept across her face as she noticed Callie sitting with Matt, their hands resting between them, fingers softly intertwined.

Jess leaned over to Eli, nudging him with her elbow. “Look over there,” she whispered, her tone amused. “How cute is that?”

Eli glanced over and chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “Young love,” he said, grinning. “Doesn’t it remind you of—”

“Shh!” Jess interrupted, smirking as she gestured toward Ava across the tavern. “She has to see this.”

Ava, cradled little Ava in her lap. The child was fast asleep, snuggled against Ava’s chest as her good arm wrapped protectively around her. Jess waved her hand subtly to catch Ava’s attention.

“Ava,” Jess called softly, her tone teasing. “You might want to see this.”

Ava looked up, her sharp eyes following Jess’s pointed gaze toward Callie and Matt. For a moment, she watched as Callie leaned closer to Matt, their hands still loosely clasped. When Callie glanced up and realized both Jess and Ava were looking her way, her face turned bright red. She quickly pulled her hand back, stammering something to Matt, who glanced around awkwardly, clearly unsure of what to do.

Ava couldn’t help but smirk. “Callie,” she called out, her voice carrying over the noise of the tavern. “I’m winking at you!”

The words sent a ripple of laughter through those close enough to hear. Jess burst into laughter herself, leaning into Eli as she whispered, “Poor thing, she looks like she wants the ground to swallow her up.”

Callie’s face burned with embarrassment, her hands fidgeting in her lap. She cast a sheepish glance at Jess, who smiled warmly in reassurance. Jess gave her a subtle nod, as if to say, *It’s fine. Don’t worry.*

Matt, on the other hand, looked entirely lost, his wide eyes darting between Callie and the attention they were suddenly getting. “What just happened?” he whispered to her, leaning in.

Callie shrugged, biting her lip nervously. “Ava happened,” she muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with exasperation and affection.

From across the room, Ava chuckled softly, adjusting the sleeping little Ava on her lap. “They grow up so fast,” she quipped, drawing a smile from Jess, who nodded in agreement.

“They’re adorable,” Jess said, nudging Eli again. “I mean, look at her—completely flustered. And him? Clueless as ever.”

Eli laughed, raising his drink. “Here’s to young love surviving Ava’s teasing.”

Jess grinned, raising her own glass in response. “Amen to that.”

As the last few people started to leave, Talon raised his glass one more time, his voice slightly hoarse from the evening’s tales and laughter. “To family,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of their shared history and everything they’d overcome together. He glanced at Ava, his sister in every way that mattered. “To the family we choose.”

Ava felt a lump in her throat, and she raised her glass, her eyes meeting Talon’s. “To those who stayed, and to those we carry with us.” Her words were quiet, reverent, but they filled the room, touching everyone there. A collective silence fell over them, a moment of shared remembrance for those they’d lost along the way.

“Now, enough of the sappy stuff,” Miko interjected, his attempt to lighten the mood met with soft laughter. “Let’s get you and little Ava to bed before you pass out here.”

Gently, Jess helped ease little Ava from her aunt’s lap, cradling her as the child stirred, murmuring softly. Ava watched, her heart warmed by the simple, unguarded affection in the scene. She rose to her feet with Talon’s help, her body aching but her spirit full.

As she prepared to leave, she caught Selene’s eye once more, and they shared a brief but meaningful smile—a silent understanding that their lives had been forever changed by each other’s presence.

Ava and Talon lingered at the tavern’s threshold, looking back at the familiar faces within, the warm light spilling out into the cool night. For just a moment, they stood together, watching as their family dispersed into the comforting quiet of Green Arbor.

“Come on, Blondie,” Talon murmured. “Tomorrow’s another day.”

Ava nodded, taking one last look back before stepping into the night, helped by Talon and Eli, knowing she was back home, she was safe with her friends and family.