Secrets And Sins Part 3: Happy ever after

Chapter 37

~Ava~

If there was one positive to being forced to stay at Jillian's estate, it was the food. Between the Doctor's live-in professional chef and the best of the best produce, the homeless OCS were at least well fed.

Ava lifted her head from the best plate of pasta she had ever had in her life and took in the truly epic dining room. It was easily the same size as the Cradle's mess hall but absolutely oozed wealth. Below the lofty vaulted ceilings, the walls displayed various pieces of priceless art between large rectangular windows that gave a commanding view of the estate's manicured gardens during the day. The piece de resistance though, was a massive crystal chandelier, that probably cost more money than Ava would ever see in her life, hanging low in the center of the room, illuminating the entire space.

Despite the grandeur of their surroundings, and the delicious food, the morale of the OCS was at an all-time low. The before dinner meeting didn't exactly help the mood, Vincent's report on the status of the Cradle was depressing to say the least. Right now, they had no avenue to get their home back, legal or otherwise. The Church just had too much money, too much power, too many friends in high places, and the faces around the dining table reflected that.

We need to do something...

"Hmm... about what, darling?"

To help, or something... I don't know, I feel... useless.

Bea's hand found Ava's under the table, lacing their fingers together.

"You're not useless, Ava. And there isn't anything we can do... not right now."

Bea might be right, she usually was, but Ava just couldn't let it go. I hate this. I hate the pain I've caused.

Her fiancé looked at her then, surprised, and appalled. "This isn't your fault..."

"I'd have to agree, Ava..." Halo added, taking the sister warrior's side. "The Church is being completely unreasonable."

Ava shook her head, holding Bea's gaze, resolute. If I had kept them happy, we wouldn't be in this situation... If someone else had the Halo, someone the Church approved of, the OSC would still have their home.

"Shut up." Bea stood suddenly, her chair scraped on the marble floor, loud and stark after the only noise in the room for the past hour had been the soft clink of cutlery on plates.

Ava blushed as every face turned towards them, she reached out to reclaim Bea's hand in the hopes to tug her back into her seat, only to have Bea pull further away from her. "Babe..."

"No, Ava." She folded her arms over her chest. "This is not your fault, and I'm not just going to sit here while you try to shoulder all the blame..."

"Ah. Bea?" Camila interjected from where she was seated opposite, eyes darting between them awkwardly. "You know you're talking out loud right now, right?"

"I do." Bea said, her gaze never leaving Ava's face. "Ava blames herself for losing the Cradle."

"Bea!" Ava couldn't have been redder.

Well, that's absolute bullshit," Mary declared, shattering the awkward silence that had enveloped the table. With her words, a low murmur of agreement from their fellow sister warriors swelled into an overwhelming tide of support.

Ava was shocked, she ducked her head, suddenly teary eyed, until she felt a familiar hand on her cheek, guiding her face upward again. Bea was looking back at her with a victorious smile.