Chapter 38: Meeting Eli's Family.

The morning sun painted the landscape in a soft, golden hue as Ava settled into the jeep. She glanced back at the cabin, where Talon stood with a grin, arms crossed over his chest.

“Remember, Blondie—charm, manners, and if all else fails, look at them with your good eye,” he called, his teasing lightening her nerves.

“Noted,” Ava replied dryly, though a smile tugged at her lips. She sank back into the seat, adjusting the bandage near her brow and mentally steeling herself for this unusual mission: meeting Eli’s family.

Eli climbed in, casting her a reassuring glance. “Ready?” he asked, his voice calm.

“More ready than I’ll ever be,” Ava replied, pulling her jacket tighter around herself, trying to ignore the bruises and aches that reminded her of Dust Haven. As they set off, the landscape unfurled in front of them, rolling hills and thick patches of trees filling the view. Eli’s hands were steady on the wheel, and he began to share little stories as they drove, each tied to a particular landmark or memory of growing up around Green Arbor.

"That old stone wall there?" Eli said, pointing to a moss-covered structure. "Me and my friends, we used to climb it all the time—until Mom caught us and warned we’d end up in the clinic if we fell."

Ava chuckled, allowing herself to relax a little more. "Let me guess, you all ignored her and kept climbing anyway?"

Eli grinned, glancing at her. "We’re stubborn, it runs in the family. But I think you’d fit right in."

Ava raised an eyebrow, pretending to look serious. "Oh, yeah? They won’t throw me out when they see this mug?"

Eli shook his head, smiling. "Trust me. The bruises won’t matter—they’ve heard enough about you to understand who you really are. And trust me, Mom will probably just try to feed you up.”

They turned down a narrower path, trees arching overhead, their branches filtering sunlight into beams across the track. The jeep rumbled over the uneven ground until, finally, the family farm came into view. A sprawling house sat at the heart of it all, cozy and welcoming, with a wide, wrap-around porch adorned with potted plants and a few old wooden chairs.

The second they parked, a large woman with a warm smile stepped out onto the porch, waving enthusiastically. “They’re here! Eli, bring your friend inside before she freezes out there!” she called, her voice carrying with a motherly authority that Ava found strangely comforting.

Eli climbed out, walking around to help Ava down. “Mom, this is Ava,” he introduced, a softness in his tone. “And Ava, this is my mother, Martha.”

Martha’s eyes sparkled with kindness as she took in Ava, her gaze lingering on the bruises before she opened her arms wide, offering a gentle hug. “Welcome, Ava,” she said, her warmth unmistakable. “I’ve been hearing all about you for ages.”

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Ava managed a small smile, feeling the genuine care in Martha’s embrace. “Thank you for having me, Mrs. Mitchell.”

“Oh, call me Martha, dear. Come inside, and we’ll get you comfortable,” she said, guiding Ava toward the door with an arm around her shoulders. Ava hesitated, looking back as Eli followed behind, his expression reassuring.

Inside, the house felt alive with the scent of baking bread and herbs, a cozy warmth radiating from a stone fireplace in the corner. " James, put that down and come and say hello," Martha called to him. Eli’s father, James, stood up from his armchair, his smile echoing the kindness in Martha’s face.

“Welcome, Ava,” he greeted, extending a hand that was calloused from years of working the land. Ava shook it, her grip firm despite her injuries.

"Thank you, sir," she replied, her voice steady.

“Just James will do, i work for a living,” he replied with a warm chuckle. "We’re glad to have you here.”

As she took in the welcoming scene, two younger faces peeked out from behind a doorway, eyes wide with curiosity. Eli smiled, motioning for them to come forward. "Tommy, Emily, this is Ava."

The boy, around twelve, stepped forward, his gaze darting between Eli and Ava before he blurted out, “Did you really fight all those bad guys?”

Ava smirked, glancing at Eli, who looked like he wanted to intervene but held back. “I might’ve thrown a punch or two,” she replied lightly.

Emily, younger and more hesitant, gazed up at her with wide eyes. “Did it hurt?” she asked softly, pointing to the swollen bruise on Ava’s cheek.

Ava leaned down, smiling. “It did, but I think I’ve had worse.”

Martha led them into the dining room, where a hearty meal was spread out on the table. "Come, sit down, everyone. Eli tells us you don’t take time for yourself often, Ava, so today you’re in for a treat.”

As they settled in, the table was filled with laughter and warmth, stories flowing naturally. Eli’s family asked questions, curious but kind, each one a small step closer to easing Ava’s discomfort. She shared lighthearted tales, sparing them the grittiest details, but her stories painted enough of a picture to satisfy Tommy’s curiosity.

“Do you ever get scared?” Emily asked, her big eyes fixed on Ava with innocent curiosity.

Ava hesitated, caught off guard by the question. She glanced at Eli, who offered a small, supportive nod. “Sometimes,” she admitted, her voice soft. “But I think bravery is when you keep going, even when you’re scared.”

Eli’s father, James, chimed in, “Spoken like a true hero.”

Ava felt her cheeks flush slightly, not used to such sincere praise. “I just do what needs to be done.”

After dinner, they moved into the living room, the fireplace casting a cozy glow over the room. Emily brought over a sketchbook, showing Ava a drawing of a fierce warrior. “This is you,” she said shyly, looking down.

Ava’s expression softened as she took in the drawing, touched by the little girl’s gesture. “Thank you, Emily. It’s beautiful.”

Before long, Martha wrapped a soft blanket around Ava’s shoulders, pressing a cup of tea into her hands. “You need rest as much as you need courage, Ava. Remember that.”

Ava held the warm cup, feeling a strange comfort settle over her. She looked around at Eli’s family, who had welcomed her with such genuine kindness, and a sense of peace crept in—a feeling she hadn’t allowed herself in a long time.

As night fell and the firelight danced, Ava found herself sharing more, her usual guarded demeanor softening in the safety of this home. And for a moment, she dared to imagine what it might be like to have a place like this—a place to come back to, surrounded by people who would always welcome her, bruises and all.

And for the first time in years, as she looked at Eli’s family, she felt not just welcomed but almost… at home.