She stopped counting how many times she has cursed herself since she said yes to her ex-wife's offer. How can I be this stupid? She hated herself for letting this happen but it was too late to back out.

The drive to the subdivision was familiar, wrong but familiar nonetheless. They carried nothing but the hospital bag they packed and Ava promised to take care of moving their belongings. Laurel was sleeping in the car, exhausted of waiting.

The moment she cried at that hospital, pleading to be with her mama, she knew it was impossible to say no. Now she was leaning against Ava with content on her face. The other woman rubbed comforting circles in their daughters arm as she slept.

Sara didn't realize she was staring until Ava met her gaze. She immediately pulled away and set her focus to the houses they pass by. She tried to ease the growing worry on the pit of her stomach. She was tough enough to face bullets and criminals but the thought of being back in their old house had her wavering.

There weren't many houses in the neighborhood. Each had big lawns and had really long driveways. There was no way she could've afforded this kind of life for her daughter but Ava was blessed with a rich family and a big trust fund. With her income and money from her shares of the company, Laurel could've lived a wonderful life; not that she isn't with her or that Ava wasn't supporting the little girl because she was. She had sent her plenty of cheques with unimaginable worth.

Sara as stubborn as she is used only some it, enough to provide Laurel with good food, clothing and a comfortable lifestyle and kept the rest in Laurel's bank account, which Ava had already filled.

Sara never wanted this luxurious life. She never wanted the money or the recognition in being part of the Sharpe's, hell she just wanted Ava the moment she laid eyes on her in the court room. Everything else was just free package.

The rest of the car ride was quiet. When they arrived at the house a wave of nostalgia hit her. The house didn't change a bit and it was just as beautiful as she last saw it.

They were greeted by the maids who already had her wheelchair down. She still had difficulty in walking and Ava insisted she use one and she could ditch it if things get easier. She didn't feel like arguing so she agreed. Sara was about to go down when Ava popped at the door.

"What are you doing?" The taller blonde asked. "You are going to hurt yourself" She would've protested but she immediately stilled when she felt Ava's arm supporting her back and the other scooping her legs.

"Ava!" Their laughter echoed through the wooden cabana. Watching the sunset lead to making out then to what Sara is currently dreading- tickling. The breeze of the Bali night was cold, the smell of the beach lingered in the air and the trees swayed.

It was their second day in Indonesia and 5th day in their entire honeymoon. Sara had always wanted to go to Bali or Maldives, the next on their honeymoon list and now they're here, enjoying cocktails and personal time with each other.

"Babe, please stop!" The shorter blonde said in between laughs. She tried to push Ava away but she was too strong and relentless in pursuit of reaching for her sides. So she did the complete opposite. She pulled her close and kissed her, something she knew would make her stop. The warmth of her lips caressed her own and a gasp escaped her mouth when she felt Ava's tongue swipe across her lower lip.

The kiss became heated, passionate. Ava pulled away to breathe in some air and stare at the other woman's baby blues. Sara was pulled by her wife up; the next thing was they were standing dangerously close to the pool. She immediately wrapped her arms on her wife's neck and met her with a kiss.

Her heartbeat rose and a flush of adrenaline spiked her body when Ava suddenly swooped up her feet carrying her in bridal style. The taller blonde gave her a quick kiss on her cheek and carried her back to the beach house.

Ava was staring intensely into her eyes. Calculating the possible result of the action she just made. For a second they thought of the same thing that this was a mistake but the next thing Sara knew she was being pulled in closer by her scent, then her eyes, then her lips. She craved to feel those lips on hers. Her head spun and suddenly they were leaning in closer. A lump formed in her throat, both their breathing halted...they were too close, so close.

A loud thud shattered their moment when the trunk of the car closed. Their eye contact broke and they sighed with relief. The tension was replaced by awkwardness and Sara doesn't know which one she hated more.

Ava gently seated her in the wheelchair and took their still sleeping daughter from the head house maid whom she recognized immediately "Nana Anne" she smiled sweetly at the old woman. She took care of Ava since she was a little girl and she stuck around until today. She was Laurel's first nanny and the little girl has grown fond of her.

"Hello yellow bird" she always called her that. Nana Anne loves Sara and she reminded her of the canary because of her golden locks. Sara had loved the nickname and it warms her heart to hear it again.

Sara was pushed by the older woman as Ava and Laurel walked beside her. They were welcomed at the door by the family butler Arthur. "Welcome home Ms. Lance" Technically it wasn't her home anymore, but the way the old man's eyes twinkled with joy urged her to let it slide.

"Only for a couple of weeks Art. I see your back in Star City" she replied. When Ava and Sara finally separated the family butler returned to Ava's estate in Ivy Town. Seeing him again brought so much joy. At least her stay wouldn't be as terrible as she thought with the familiar faces in the house.

She was settled in the guest room. Ava had left Laurel in the bed and went on to help her sister pack their things. She lay in the bed feeling helpless along with a million other things. She watched Laurel breathe steadily. Her mind wandered off again to the time where she couldn't stand to be in this house.

The divorce papers scattered in the living room floor. Her breaths came in heavy puffs, frustrated and angry at the same time. Her wife sat across from her in the couch and even with her head down she can see the tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Now you can't look me in the eyes?" she scoffed. Thankfully Nana Anne took Laurel for a stroll in the park so she wasn't around to witness another fight. Sara has lost count of the rounds. Ava seemed to hate the fighting more than she does because finally she made effort in ending things, literally.

She harshly wiped her cheeks that were stained with tears too "is this what you want?" she asked with a stern voice. Ava sobbed and her heart was crumpled. She wanted to reach her, touch her, and remind her of what they used to have because as much as this decision made her angry, she doesn't want to go through it.

The taller blonde looked up at her. Her usual glowing face and bright eyes gone, replaced by the tiredness from the lack of sleep and stress. She didn't respond to her question. Instead she just stared back at the floor, her lips shaking.

"Fine" she picked up the papers and tore them to pieces. "Let me know when you can talk" she spat out. She ran up the stairs and slammed their bedroom door.

Her legs gave up on her before she could reach the bed. She slides down the door with heavy sobs. She immediately covered her mouth to prevent herself from whimpering. She prayed that Ava would change her mind, that she would come around but she never did.

***

Their bags were packed and they were ready to go. They decided it was best if Laurel stayed with Sara. They already found an apartment, near the city and the precinct so it will be convenient for her. Ava had offered to take them to the new place before she heads back in Ivy town.

Laurel was quiet the entire ride. She knew mama had to leave and she had to stay with mommy. Sara tried her best to explain to the little girl and answer the questions. She was upset, but she didn't cry. Laurel was a smart and a well behaved girl. Even though she just turned three, she had a good grasp on things around her.

They arrived in the apartment in the longest time possible. The driver helped with their bags and finally this was it. It was time for them to say goodbye and she couldn't do anything more to delay or prevent it from happening. She gives Ava a nod.

The taller blonde knelt to their daughter's height and she couldn't prevent herself from tearing up. She saw how difficult this was for Ava and she can see how badly this will hurt their daughter.

"Little bean, mama has to go now okay?" the little girl nodded. "hey, hey don't cry. We talked about this remember? I told you that you have to be strong for mama. Mommy is going to need you to behave. Be a good girl for me okay?" the other woman whispered. Ava gave her a hug. Even with her back facing her, she could hear Laurel sob, murmuring something to Ava and clinging to her tightly.

"I can't stay baby, I'm so sorry" Ava was crying now too. She looked into her eyes, pleading to take Laurel. She gently coaxed the little girl to let go of her mama but she wouldn't budge.

She finally applied a little force so that she could pull Laurel's arm from Ava's neck. The little girl's cry got louder. She didn't want to let Ava go and it broke Sara's heart to see the little girl suffering. Laurel sobbed with her back pressed against her knees as Ava walked out the door.

The little girl tried to run after her but she immediately bent and grabbed her. "Mama!" Laurel cried out.

Sara pulled her daughter into her arms and kissed her forehead. "its okay baby, it's okay" she whispered as she rubbed her daughters back.

***

Sara's apartment was cozy. The last time she was here was before she left and at that time the place was empty. Now there were décor and more furniture that suited Sara's style. It was simple and wasn't as different as their old house.

"Their room is over there, it leads to a walk in closet. I'll look around to see if there are other things I could grab and I'll come and help you" Laurel headed to the kitchen before she could ask something.

She found her way to one of the doors and opened it, hoping for the best. The walls were cream and the room was modest. There was just a bed, side tables and a dresser. A couple of paintings hung in the walls.

She ran a hand through the picture frame in side table and picked it up. It was a picture of Sara and Laurel in a restaurant with a huge smile on her face. She swiped a finger on their daughters face and placed the picture frame in the box. Something tells her Sara would love to have that in her side table.

Ava entered the walk in closet and started finding comfortable clothes for Sara. She grabbed underwear and night gowns as well as pajamas and casual clothes she might like. When she was done with the reachable shelves she stepped on to the lowest level to elevate herself. She blindly ran her hands to the top shelf and grabbed the first thing she reached.

She stills for a second when she saw the picture frame she grabbed. It was a photo of her in a silly blue dress. She remembers because it was her birthday and Sara insisted she wore a dress to their dinner. Sara snapped this photo while she clapped her hands in excitement when the waiter delivered her cake with a bouquet of flowers, from her wife of course.

Ava wasn't sure why Sara still had that picture in that closet but she felt butterflies in her stomach with the thought of it. She smiled and returned the frame back in the top shelf and finally arranged the boxes.

"All set?" Laurel peeped from the bedroom. She carried a box with a bunch of things she doesn't recognize.

"Yup" she nodded and lifted her big box.

"It's great what you're doing for Sara" Laurel said when they finally settled in the car. They have talked in the past days when Sara was still in the hospital but they never had the talk about little Laurel or what happened before.

"Honestly? I'm just here for Laur" she confessed. There was a slight hesitation before she continued. "Sara and I...we aren't...we haven't been in a long time" She couldn't find the right words.

"See, here's the thing. I don't believe you" She faced Laurel who had a soft smile on her face.

Ava was suddenly confused. "Excuse me?"

"I know you're not here just for little Laur. Admit it Aves, you were worried when I called." It was crazy how Laurel and Sara can read her like an open book. She had spent a lot of time in the other woman's company and they had been friends even before she met Sara. "You still care for her"

There was no point in lying to the other woman who had her eye brow raised with an I know you look all over her face. "Yeah. I came because I was worried. She was my wife, of course I care"

"You were good for each other" were being the keyword. They changed topic and talked about work and cases. They caught up on life events and things friends talk about.

Laurel was a fun company. They get each other's jokes and spoke the same lawyer language as Sara named. Her being Sara's sister made things easier in their divorce. She would tell her things about Laurel and be with the girl as they facetimed.

They lost track of time catching up until the car pulled over in the driveway. They both insisted to take the boxes out and carry them in the house.

Their talk about Laurel's experience with a crazy date from tinder suddenly halted when they saw Sara and Laurel in the couch, only, they weren't alone.

"Ava, hey. I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you but umm...this was a little unexpected" Sara spoke, her voice trailing at the end. She eyed the tall and dark haired woman who was helping Laurel color but now standing up with an awkward smile. "This is Nyssa"

The dark-haired woman offered her hand in which she took. She was almost as intimidating as Ava. She had great posture and carried herself gracefully. "Ava Sharpe" she said smoothly with a smile.

"Nyssa Raatko" she had an accent she couldn't quite place. It sounded almost British.

Sara tried to stand up and both women rushed to her side to help her up. The moment Ava and Nyssa's eyes locked, tension rose in the room. Ava was first to let go. She had the feeling that she was invading a territory and clearly she had no right to Sara, not anymore.

"Nice to finally meet you Ava, Sara has told me all about you." she smiled. Ava could see that Sara was uncomfortable at this meeting.

"Funny, she never said anything about you" she forced a smile. If she is who Ava thinks she is, it's going to be a wild ride.