In This Life

(10) James 1:20

For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

"What did Reya mean about your father?" Beatrice had refrained from asking the question the whole way through the airport, through customs and around half of their flight. Ava didn't have to tell her the rest of the plan because Reya already did the honours. Including giving them a tracker to track down other 'champions' which Beatrice was eager to get Jillian to examine once they returned. Currently though, Ava and Beatrice were over the ocean. Beatrice had turned her body slightly once she asked her question so Ava's head had fallen off her shoulder. The only contact they still had was their joined hands and Ava's leg over Beatrice's lap.

"We have to kill him." Ava said simply with a sad smile on her face. Beatrice furrowed her brows before meeting Ava's eyes.

"But why? I thought your father was never in the picture?"

"He wasn't. For all I knew he could've been dead but nope, he's out and about making enemies in the wrong places."

"Ava?" Said girl looked up at Beatrice with a small smile before kissing her forehead tenderly. "My dad was like Lilith. He got sucked into Reya's realm by a Tarask but he didn't get scales and grow wings like some fucked up lizard. He became like Adriel, not an angel but not human. Reya didn't give me all the details but in short, he was exiled for aiding and abetting Adriel, before that fucker came here with the halo."

"Wouldn't that make him...?"

"Very old. He ended up meeting my mother along the line and settled down with us. Then one day...he was gone. Reya didn't tell me where he went, nobody knows where he went. He fucking left hours after I was born." Beatrice brought Ava's head into her neck at the sight of a couple stray tears flowing. "It's why the halo brought me back from the dead. I have some of that fucking realm literally in my veins." Before Ava knew it she was looking right into Beatrice's eyes, her cheeks cupped and there was no way to look away from the depths of brown and hints of gold.

Ava decided in that moment that Beatrice's eyes might be one of her favourite features on her.

"The halo chose you because you are worthy of it. If it wanted to it would just pop out of you at any time. It could've done it when that nun first put it in you." Ava practically melted on the spot with Beatrice's words. "You always know what to say. Thank you, baby." Beatrice blushed brightly as Ava kissed her with a quick peck.

"Baby huh? That one did it for you?"

"It was unexpected."

"Sure whatever you say. My little cherry blossom."

"Ava."

"Yeah don't worry I didn't like that one either."

◥✥◤

After many hours of travel, they were finally back at the new OCS headquarters. Ava practically skipped through the entrance whilst Beatrice was a bit more pensive about coming back, she just wished the world wasn't ending so she could finally relax with her girlfriend. A luxury she never thought would be a possibility for her.

First before anything, said girlfriend had to save the world.

"Bea? You okay back there?" Ava asked which brought Beatrice from her thoughts. "I'm fine just tired. The last few days have really taken it out of me." Beatrice admitted while she restrained the urge to yawn. Ava stopped in her tracks and skipped back to her, giving a very quick kiss to her cheek. Quick enough that Beatrice didn't have a second to react. "We'll wrap up the reunion quickly so you can get some rest. And I'm not taking no for an answer either." Ava pointed at her teasingly before pulling Beatrice forward to walk alongside her.

"Are you nervous to see everyone again?" Ava asked softly. To which the ex-nun had to take a moment to think about. It wasn't that she was nervous but she had changed quite quickly in the months she was gone. Tattoos, a small drinking habit (thanks to Ava) and her whole demeanour. Beatrice couldn't believe she was ever a nun to begin with but then again she didn't resent her time at all with the OCS. With them she found a family and the love of her life. If anything she was thankful to the OCS.

Returning just felt strange. Almost like she was out of place.

"Just going to be weird walking around without a habit." Ava chuckled as she held open a door for Beatrice. "I think I'll miss hearing people refer to you as Sister Beatrice. Wait...oh my god..." Ava yet again stopped in her tracks but this time she pulled Beatrice to a complete stop. "I don't know your last name." Ava commented to which Beatrice just nodded. "I don't want their last name. I did think about a few names but I never decided so, it's just Beatrice." Ava smiled softly before coming right up to her girlfriends ear. "I think Beatrice Silva. That has a much better ring to it don't you think?" She whispered. In response she got a stark red blush and a small slap on the arm. "Behave." Beatrice warned as she caught sight of Mother Superion on the other side of the corridor. Said woman had already seen the two but was giving them a moments privacy.

She was a nun but she wasn't blind.

As they all approached each other Ava couldn't help but run ahead and practically tackle Superion into a hug. It had definitely taken her off guard but the older woman welcomed it nonetheless. At first, the pair most definitely did not get off on the right foot. Even from the beginning, Superion had a soft spot for Ava, she was just an innocent girl sucked into their world by fate or divine intervention. Now, Ava wasn't just the halo bearer to the older woman instead she was her daughter.

"It's good to see you, child." Superion pulled out of the hug to squeeze Ava's biceps. "Beatrice, I'm glad to see you in good health." Superion addressed as Ava returned to her girlfriends side with a soft smile on her face. "You too, Mother." The two exchange a final nod before Superion guided the two into a meeting room. Stocked with books and a huge wooden table in the centre, with red cushioned chairs. Inside was Camila, Yasmine, Sister Dora and Father Vincent.

Ava almost jumped out her skin when Yasmine tackled her into a hug but she welcomed it nonetheless. "It's good to see you too." Ava teased as they broke off with Yasmine trying her hardest to hold back tears.

"This meeting is simply to discuss. As I understand, things are much different than they were before. We have new sister warriors eager to learn, we have new foes to face and a war to win. I want us all to be on the same page." Superion started off and everyone nodded. "I believe we should start with the two of you." She added and once again all eyes were on Ava and Beatrice. "What about us?" Beatrice asked as they all sat down. Ava slyly slipped her hand into her girlfriends once everyone was settled. If Beatrice hadn't been moving to also grab her hand the action would given her a shock.

"For a start, Beatrice are you coming back to the OCS?" Vincent spoke up from the other side of the table. The way everyone was seated was like an interview, Ava and Beatrice on one side of the table while the rest where sat across from them.

Ava clenched Beatrice hand after a moment of silence. Waking her girlfriend from whatever train of thought was running through her head which made Beatrice quickly look down at her. The halo bearer watched her gaze soften which practically melted her heart. "No. I'll help you all to the best of my abilities but no, I will not be returning to the OCS." Camila gave the two across from her a once over and had to restrain a smile.

They were together. It was written all over their faces.

Decided to cut this chapter a bit short because I wanted this little sit down to start off a chapter rather than end one. But thanks so much for the support on this book, nearly 6k already? Madness. Hope everyone has a good new year and keep spamming #SaveWarriorNun on all platforms especially Twitter.