Chapter 37: Helping A stubborn Friend.

A few days had passed since Ava and Lucas returned from Dust Haven, and Ava was still heavily injured. Her body bore a map of pain—stitched cuts, deep bruises, and the swelling that left one eye shut tight, a raw reminder of her brutal fight. As she moved slowly through Jess's house, each step sent fresh waves of pain through her, yet she pressed on, determined not to show it.

The warmth of Jess’s home wrapped around her, a stark contrast to the harsh world outside. The comforting scents of herbs and freshly baked bread mingled in the air, soothing in their familiarity. Jess guided Ava to a wooden chair near the bathroom, concern etched deeply in her face as she helped her friend sit.

"Jesus, Ava, look at you," Jess muttered, turning on the bath taps. Steam began to rise, filling the room with a soft, warm haze.

“What, am I not pretty anymore?” Ava tried to joke, masking the strain in her voice.

Jess shot her a look. "You and Talon are as bad as each other—always cracking jokes, even when you're in pieces," she said, shaking her head.

Ava winced as Jess helped her up again, steadying her as she slid into the bath. The warm water swallowed her, easing the ache in her muscles, and she let out a small sigh of relief, if only for the momentary reprieve. Jess crouched down beside her, checking the stitches along Ava’s side, her fingers gentle yet firm.

“You’re pulling at these again,” Jess scolded, her voice soft but firm. “You need to keep your sling on.”

Ava scoffed, wincing slightly as Jess’s hands moved over the stitches. “I’m not wearing it, Jess. It makes me look weak.”

Jess shook her head, a mix of exasperation and affection in her eyes. “You’re so bloody stubborn, Blondie. You act like you’re invincible, but even you have limits.”

Ava closed her eye, leaning back in the water as Jess began to wash her hair. The warmth of Jess's fingers as they worked through the tangles was comforting, grounding. “I know, Jess. But I always bounce back. I’ll be alright.”

Jess’s hands paused as she rinsed the soap from Ava’s hair, her voice dropping to a gentle tone. “Ava, we all worry about you. There’s a little girl who loves her auntie so much, and she was terrified to see you like this.”

Ava’s face softened, the memory of little Ava peeking around the corner when she first arrived home coming back to her. “I didn’t mean to scare her,” she murmured, almost to herself.

Jess continued, letting the quiet words settle before asking gently, “What happened in Dust Haven?”

Ava’s face darkened, her one open eye fixed on the water. “When I was in that room waiting for Talon to finish with his mother… two men came in. I could see it in their eyes, Jess—what they were thinking about doing to Callie.” Her jaw tightened, and a quiet, fierce anger edged her voice. “She’s just a kid, Jess. Just a young girl, and those bastards looked at her like she was something to break.”

Jess’s hands stilled in Ava’s hair, sensing the raw emotion simmering in her friend.

Ava’s voice dropped lower. “One of them reached out to grab her, and that was it. I didn’t even think. I just… lost it.” Her hand clenched, sending ripples through the bathwater. “I killed them both. Then I went into the corridor and took down three more. Catching my own knife in my side for my trouble, but I couldn’t stop. All I could think was, ‘They’re not touching her. Not while I’m breathing.’”

Jess listened, her touch steady as she finished washing the soap from Ava’s hair. She gently reached for Ava’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You’re always trying to protect everyone—Callie, Talon, all of us. But, Ava… you’re not alone in that.”

The words were soft, full of understanding, and Ava looked away, her expression tight. She didn’t respond, but Jess knew she’d heard.

After a while, Jess helped Ava out of the bath, carefully wrapping a towel around her and guiding her into the living room, where the fire crackled warmly. The scent of herbs mingled with the steam of freshly brewed tea Jess poured into a cup, bringing it to Ava.

As Ava sipped, the warmth spread through her, soothing both body and mind. Jess settled beside her, her gaze lingering on Ava’s bruised face. “I just hate seeing you like this, Ava,” Jess admitted, her voice thick with emotion. “You can’t even open your eye.”

Ava let out a soft chuckle, the sound faintly strained. “Guess I’ll be winking at people for a while.” She tilted her head in a mock attempt at a wink, trying to lighten the moment.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Jess raised an eyebrow, a small smile breaking through her concern. “Winking or blinking? Because it’s hard to tell,” she teased, drawing a soft laugh from Ava.

They both turned at the sound of little footsteps. Little Ava had toddled into the room, her eyes wide as she looked at her aunt. Jess leaned over, whispering, “Careful with Auntie Ava, love. She’s hurt.”

“Sorry, Auntie,” the little girl whispered, her voice small, her eyes worried.

But Ava waved her over, wincing as she lifted the girl onto her lap anyway, ignoring the pain that shot through her side. “You’re fine, sweetheart,” she assured her, wrapping her good arm around the child. Jess watched, a smile touching her lips.

“You know, Lucas is right,” Jess said with a smirk, watching Ava’s stubbornness in action. “You’re too bloody stubborn, Blondie.”

Ava shot her a playful, tired wink. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint him,” she replied, ruffling little Ava’s hair.

As the little girl settled, Jess sat nearby, taking in the scene with quiet satisfaction. Little Ava’s small hands patted her auntie’s arm, looking up at her with adoration. Ava’s battered face softened, a genuine smile breaking through, and Jess watched, feeling a sense of relief seeing her friend here, safe and loved.

After a while, little Ava’s eyelids began to droop, and she finally dozed off, nestled comfortably against her aunt. Jess took out a sketchbook, her pencil moving softly across the page as she captured the peaceful moment. In Ava’s stillness, Jess hoped that her words, somewhere in all that stubbornness, had taken root.

Ava glanced down at the sleeping child, brushing a hand over her tiny head, and for once, she let herself enjoy the quiet, her protective instincts at rest, even if only for a while.

Ava took another slow sip of tea, the herbal warmth grounding her in the moment. Jess watched her quietly, absorbing the bruises, the cuts, and all the invisible weight Ava carried. It had been years since Jess had seen Ava again, before Ava walk through Green Arbor’s gates, and yet, even now, seeing her friend like this stirred a deep protectiveness in her.

As Ava adjusted little Ava on her lap, Jess set her sketchbook aside and leaned forward. “I don’t think you realize, Ava, just how much you mean to all of us,” she said softly, choosing her words carefully. “You’re always the one running into danger, always the one shielding everyone else. But we’d be lost without you.”

Ava looked down, a faint, embarrassed smile playing on her lips. “I just do what has to be done, Jess. I’m no hero.”

Jess shook her head, her gaze steady. “It’s not about being a hero. It’s about who you are to us—Talon, little Ava, Callie… even Lucas. You’re more than just a Sentinel; you’re family. And that means you don’t always have to carry it all on your own.”

Ava swallowed, her fingers gently tracing over little Ava’s sleeping form. “I don’t know if I’d know how to stop,” she admitted, a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. “When I was in that fight… all I could think about was Callie, keeping her safe. Nothing else mattered.”

Jess reached over, squeezing Ava’s hand gently. “I know. And that’s why you’re so important to us. You make sacrifices without a second thought. But sometimes, you have to let us be here for you, too.”

The room was filled with a soft silence, broken only by the crackle of the fire. Ava seemed to contemplate Jess’s words, her expression softening. For a rare moment, she allowed herself to lean back, fully relaxing into the chair, the weight of her usual guard slipping away.

“You’re one of the few people who can make me feel like that’s even possible,” Ava said quietly, glancing over at Jess with a rare glimmer of gratitude.

Jess smiled, her voice warm. “Well, that’s what sisters are for, Blondie.”

They shared a quiet laugh, the bond between them needing no more words to feel solid, true, and enduring. As Jess picked up her sketchbook, Ava closed her eye, resting as she held little Ava close. In that stillness, she found something rare—a sense of peace that went beyond the scars and the bruises, grounding her in a place where, just for tonight, she could finally feel safe.

The next morning back over at her cabin, the atmosphere was charged as Ava sat on the edge of her bed, arms crossed in defiance. The cabin was peaceful, morning light filtering through the window, but Ava’s mood was anything but.

Jess entered, hands on her hips and determination written all over her face. “Come on, Ava. Just give it a try.”

“Why?” Ava countered, frowning. “Meeting Eli’s family? I’m not exactly in the best shape for that.”

Jess took a seat beside her, eyes kind. “Look, I’ve met Eli’s parents—they’re wonderful, warm, and honestly, they’ll see past the bruises and everything else. They’re the kind of people who make you feel at home.”

Talon, who’d been lingering by the door, grinned. “Yeah, Blondie, think of it as Mission ‘Impress the In-Laws.’”

Ava shot him a look. “First off, no ‘in-laws,’ Talon. Second, with the way I look right now? That mission would be a bust.”

“Details,” Talon replied with a shrug, grinning wider. “Think of it as recon work. Go in, scope out the family, don’t knock anything over.”

Ava rolled her eyes, but Jess nudged her. “The point is to let them meet the woman Eli cares about. They already know about you, Ava. They’ve heard all the stories—mostly good ones, don’t worry.” She winked, her smile reassuring.

Ava sighed, glancing at Jess. “But I look like I’ve just crawled out of a bar fight. Hardly family material.”

Jess chuckled. “Eli’s mom, Martha, will probably want to fuss over you. She won’t care about the bruises; she’ll be more concerned with feeding you.”

Talon leaned over to Callie, who was quietly listening by the door. “Go on, Callie, back me up. Tell her she’ll knock ’em dead, no bruises necessary.”

Callie stepped forward, her admiration for Ava plain. “Honestly, Ava, I think it’s amazing you’re going. And besides, you’re brave, and… they’ll see that, too.”

Ava softened slightly at Callie’s words, though she tried to keep her expression neutral. “Well… if they’re really so sweet, maybe… maybe it wouldn’t be too bad.”

Talon gave a fake sniff, wiping an imaginary tear. “Look at her, Jess. Our Blondie, finally going off to charm the parents.”

Ava sighed, giving in with a faint smirk. “Fine. But if this goes south, it’s on all of you.”

The cabin filled with laughter as they headed out, Talon slinging an arm around Ava’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, Blondie. Just remember: sit straight, don’t curse, and for God’s sake, try to smile.”

Ava shoved him off, her smirk growing. “And if I don’t?”

“Then you’ll fit in just fine,” Talon replied, his laughter filling the cabin as they walked outside.