The Ruins of Love and Chaos (AvaLance)

CHAPTER IX

Soft music played as everyone ate in the garden of the manor. Everyone was silent and tension was strongly felt by everyone except Laurel who occasionally would turn to her grandparents and talk. Sara and Ava were thankful for the presence of the little girl. If it weren't for Laurel everyone would be losing their minds. Sara was uneasy. The look given by Victoria wasn't really warming up the chilly night.

"Ava dear, did you already visit Erica's?" Mrs. Sharpe asked. It was the first casual question she asked ever since they sat down.

"Yes mother. We already have dresses. Laurel too" the taller blonde replied. "Everything is all set, you don't have to worry" she took a sip of her wine hoping it would give her the strength to get through the evening.

Sara can feel Ava's desperation even with their daughter between them. She wiped the sauce on Laurel's lip, trying to distract herself. She could tell that Ava doesn't want to be here as much as she does.

"Sara" Sara liked William, he wasn't disapproving like Victoria and he actually talks to her like a normal father in law. "How are you recovering? You can stand, that's a good sign right?"

Sara smiles, genuinely. "I've been doing great actually. Ava has been kind to offer the house for me and Laurel. I've been healing faster than expected"

"Is that your first gunshot wound?" he asks

"Third. This one was the worst though. The rest were just scratches." She doesn't like talking about her wounds but she didn't want to be disrespectful to Ava's father.

"Is the crime rate that bad in Star City? Mayor Queen should be concerned." Mrs. Sharp added. "After all, you are close with him are you not?" she raised her brows implying that Sara and Oliver used to date way back when Oliver was dating her sister.

"Mom, I don't think that's a discussion for the dinner table." Ava' voice was stern, warning her mother to stop pressing.

"All I'm saying is that I don't want a harsh environment for my poor granddaughter" the older blonde took a sip of her wine. "If this goes on and you're always putting your life on the line then don't you think its best if my daughter held custody of Laurel?"

"Victoria" William warned.

Sara felt her blood boil. Her hands clinched the knife and the fork so tightly, her knuckles turned white. "With all due respect, I may be putting my life on the line but I never missed or never stopped being a good mother to my child. I always make sure she is loved, and safe and taken care of because it is my responsibility. I wouldn't think you would relate, after all, even without putting your life on the line, you never knew how to be a mother to your own child"

The taller blonde stood. "I'm sorry William, but I'm afraid my daughter and I couldn't stay any longer." Sara took Laurel's hand and left.

***

"Sara" Ava quickened her pace to catch up on her ex-wife. She can hear Laurel being upset that they were leaving before she could say good bye to her grandparents. "Sara, wait" she called again hoping that the shorter blonde stops.

"What!?" Sara was furious. Her blue orbs pierced through her and she couldn't find herself to talk. "If you're asking me to apologize to your witch of a mother, save it Sharpe, she's not gonna get any"

"I wasn't going to. I was just worried you might hurt yourself. Slow down okay?" She saw her calm down a bit.

"mama, is gammy and mommy fighting?" the little girl bit her lip.

She crouched down to her daughter's height and kissed her hands. "No sweetheart. Mommy just wasn't hungry anymore so were going home, okay?" the little girl nodded.