Ava didn't expect that she and Sara would make up this soon based on their past experiences but one thing that shook her more was the fact that her mom, who was miles away in Ivy town hours ago, was now sipping tea on their living room couch. Her father was soon to follow. He was still doing business in their hometown and they expect him to arrive the next day.

Ava's childhood experiences with her parents were not fun nor were they memorable. Both her mom and dad were always swamped with work and they rarely see each other at home. That means no good morning kisses, no helping her with homework, no tucking her in bed and no sharing of feelings.

It was okay  when she was a child but when high school rolled in she started hating not having her parents for school meetings, important awarding and contests and most importantly she hated that they never witnessed her grow into a fine young woman. 

Thankfully her parents weren't as big of jerks as she thought they were. When she decided to take law instead of working at the Bureau they agreed with a few conditions and contract signings along with it. 

Her parents weren't just like any other parents that would simply visit their child because they miss them. Hers were the 'we have a business in town, I came to judge your decisions' type. Not that she hates their visits but her being caught off guard was the problem.

"Ava" her mother called her attention. "What is this I've been hearing about you and your ex-wife getting back together?" her blue eyes matched her own. Victoria was poised, elegant and a little terrifying if you first encounter her but the soft spoken and wise woman was actually not that bad.

"No mother, Sara was injured in a mission so I... "

"So you move her back in your old house and rekindle old flames?" the older woman raised her brows.

"No mom, I wanted to be with Laurel" she gets to the point when she realized that her mother was not going to let this one go easily.

Victoria had her doubts about Sara when she and Ava started dating up until they were married. Though Sara was unaware of the riches Ava had when they first met, the older woman still felt protective of her daughter.

Sara proved her wrong however when they got married and built a family together. Sara was modest, never asked for more than she should and never spent a cent of the Sharpe's wealth and only asked so little of Ava.

"Speaking of, where is my granddaughter?"  The older woman gently raised her teacup to her lips.

When Laurel was born, the tension between Sara and her mom dialed down. Her mother loved Laurel and they visited her as often as they can. It came as a shock to both her and Sara that they paid so much attention when they rarely had time for her when she was younger.

"She'd be down in a minute" as if on cue, Laurel carefully ran down the stairs, Nana Anne not far behind her.

"Gammy!" the little girl ran towards the living room. Laurel made a complete halt when she reached the couch. She tiptoed to reach her grandmothers cheeks.

Victoria lit up. She and the little girl began talking about how it feels to be back in their house and if mommy had been taking good care of her "mommy has a tummy ache" the little girl frowned. "Mama played with me though. We went to the park and fed the birdies and ducks"

"Did you now?" Ava was getting more and more anxious.

Sara was resting in the room and couldn't be with her. Usually when her mother visits, Sara would be there for moral support. Her presence would calm her nerves and now she only has the memory of that to cling to.

"What are you really doing here mom?" Ava poured herself a cup of tea casually breaking contact to look at her mother.

"Well I came to see the result of this impulsive decision." The older woman eyed the room. "And your father and I are hosting a gala for one of the charities we support here in Star City of course" Ava almost rolled her eyes

"It's always business with you and dad isn't it?" She took a sip of the tea and savored the flavor. 

"We also decided..." Victoria placed her cup in the saucer "to name final auction piece in the event in honor of our granddaughter" she stroked Laurel's head who was sitting quietly beside her grandmother, playing with the hem of her dress. 

"We need you there so we could show the world a united front" Victoria raised both her brows. She took a piece of grape from the tray and popped it in her mouth.

"But not just me" it didn't take her long to realize. "You want Sara to be there   too"

"Why yes of course. All these rumors are bad for the company, it needs to be..." the older woman waved her hand gently in the air to find the right words "turned around" 

"But Sara showing up with me and the gala with Laurel will send the message that..." she trailed her sentence when she realized what her mother wants them to do "you want them to think we're getting back together?" 

"Well, honestly I don't really care as long as you show up together" Victoria smiled. 

Ava knew her mother was up to something. Their image was tarnished when her divorce with Sara was filed. Her miscarriage earned her sympathy of the people but still the divorce became the talk of many and issues of cheating and Ava being infertile rose with it. The family was quiet for the duration of that in respect to her and her loss.

Honestly, she didn't quite think of the rumors and paparazzi that may happen when she invited Sara to stay in their old house. She hardly thought of the press and forgot that she was the daughter of the infamous William Sharpe. She silently cursed herself for not seeing this come.

"I don't think Sara would agree" Ava eyed the older woman with clear disappointment in her face. 

"She will. Once you convince her." her tone was gentle but full of certainty "Its one night. She doesn't have to do anything at all but to stand and smile for the cameras" the older woman scoffed. 

"I can try" Ava was a lawyer, an excellent debater and a good speaker but when it comes to her mother there was no debating. It was her will she followed. A fear she is yet to overcome. She didn't know how it started but she found herself growing to fear her parents. They never raised a hand on her or anything but they project an aura she doesn't dare to penetrate.

"Good" Victoria stood up and ran her hand to smooth her skirt. When Ava realized it was her mother's cue she stood up as well. "As I've  said earlier, I won't be staying long." she gathered her bag and one of the housemaids brought her coat.

"Your father's assistant will send you the details. I trust you'll be there" the older woman kissed Laurel's forehead and kissed Ava' cheeks and hugged her goodbye.

"Sara" She can see her mother's smile over her shoulder.

She turned around to see her ex-wife, still on her sleeping clothes, clutching her stomach. "Hey, did you need anything?" she asked.

"No I was about to check in with Laurel. Victoria hi. It's...a surprise seeing you" The shorter blonde leaned closer to one of the sofas.

"You too dear although I can't stay and chat. I'm sure Ava will tell you why I came" the older woman replied with hinting in the tone of her voice. 

A chorus of goodbye followed through as Victoria left the house. Sara shot Ava a questioning look when the door shut close.

"Suddenly she decided to be grandma of the year" Sara said with sarcasm after Ava filled her in with her parents plan for the gala. "What's the catch?" the taller blonde furrowed her brows. "It's your mom, there is always a catch" Sara replied to the unspoken question.

"Right, so she wants you to come with" Ava sipped her now cold tea to suppress the real reason behind her mother asking.

"That's it? I don't think your mom would bother to come here just to invite me to come to her stupid party" when she noticed the look on Ava's face she ran her tongue on her upper molar. "Oh"

Ava explained to Sara what her mother wanted to happen. About the press and how they should project a united and strong family and the charity event would be the best place to do that. Sara was confused for a second, and then she became angry.

"so she wants us to get back together?" she says exasperatedly, her hand clutching the wound in her stomach.

"It isn't like that." she started. "She just wants us to look like were not fighting and screaming at each other like what we've been doing a couple years back. I mean we don't have to do anything at all. You just have to be there"

"Fine. If I have to do anything other than be there I'm out" Sara sighed heavily.

"You might have to be in a dress and heels" Ava scrunched her face, one eye closed. The apology was evident in her face but so was the unspoken please.

"Only because I stay in your house" Sara left without another word and receded back to her room. Ava whispered a quiet thanks and made a few phone calls to arrange their fitting.

***

Sara was not new to the parties, the festivities and other extra things the Sharpe's do on their spare time. She herself had gone on quite a few ever since she and Ava dated. Though her relationship was kept private, she was Ava's plus one on important events and company gatherings. So when she was asked by Ava earlier today to attend some gala, she was annoyed.

Clearly it wasn't her duty anymore and she hated wearing dresses and high heels plus she was still injured. She would've said no if it was any other occasion but she was staying with Ava and Laurel was involved. She also wanted to keep an eye on her daughter.

Laurel was occasionally brought along in some events but she was never brought to an auction and knowing the span of her daughter's attention, she will be bored and her spending the entirety of it with people she rarely gets see is a terrible idea.       

She remembers the first time Ava took her to an event. It was for Ava's father's birthday and they had a party in Ivy Town. It was the first time Ava finally addressed to her how rich they really are.

"Aren't we supposed to check in first?" Sara said following her girlfriend to the door.

"Well that's the beauty of having a private jet Lance" Ava turned around to face her and winked.

"Private jet?" she said with her brows furrowed.

It was a private jet indeed. Sara had never experienced the special treatment in an airplane before but now she was living the dream. She and Ava were the only ones in the plane being served with amazing food and champagne.

"Ava, how did you afford this? I know you're rich but this is next level." She looked around the empty seats. "Seafood? champagne?"

The business talk was then opened. Victoria and William were further discussed and their wealth was revealed. Suddenly Sara didn't want to be in the trip anymore, she wants to jump off the plane and land wherever.

She and Ava had been dating for 5 months and she introduced the other woman to her parents but Ava was always hesitant to talk about her parents. All she knew was they had money and she went her separate way. She didn't push the taller blonde to talk about them instead she focused on her.

She was beyond shocked when she found out the truth about the Sharpes. She was so anxious and tipsy that she threw up in the plane. When they arrived at the manor she was all kinds of terrified and sick.

Meeting Ava's parents were one of the worst nights of her life. The birthday party was much worse. She knew no one and everything was extra fancy. People with deep pockets flooded the room and it was suffocating.

"Ava" she whispered when Ava moved to leave her side. She was about to give a speech about her dad and Sara was suddenly afraid to be alone in the crowd.

"You will be fine" the taller blonde gave her a quick peck and delivered her speech. All the while Sara was rubbing her knuckles and biting her lip. She knew no one and everyone was staring at her.

She wasn't the type to overthink but she genuinely knows in her heart that all the people in the room are judging. "They are staring at me" she whispered in Ava's ear as they danced to the soft music.

"Because you are stunning" Ava smiled sweetly. "You're doing great babe"

"Yeah, if I take one more step these heels would snap" Sara rolled her eyes. Her feet were tired and aching. Her gown was itchy and her make up feels like its dripping down her face.

Ava gave her a kiss "Let's get out of here" Ava pulled her to the hallway, shoes in one hand her girl's hand on the other. They giggled like children, made out like teenagers and enjoyed the rest of the night eating ice cream and watching movies in hotel robes.

The soft knock on the door interrupted her reading. She was so engrossed on the novel she didn't know it was almost 9:30. The rain was pouring really hard, unusual to the warm weather of Star City. The door opened to show little Laurel with tears cascading her cheeks.

"Hey baby. Aren't you supposed to be with mama?" she closed her book and placed it on the side table. She and Ava had been taking turns as to who Laurel sleeps with and today was Ava's night.

"Mama is sleeping." the little girl ran to her when the sky roared with thunder.

"hey, it's okay sweetie mommy is here. Do you want to sleep with me tonight?" she stroke the little girl's forehead. She can feel her tears on the crook of her neck. Laurel shook her head slowly.

"no?" The little girl shook her head. "You want me to take you to mama?" the little girl sobbed and nodded.

Sara took the little girl's hand and walked her towards their old bedroom. She hasn't been there since she left the house but there was a familiarity walking up the stairs and towards the room like she was drawn to it.

Ava was already sleeping. She gently opened the door to avoid the creak that usually goes when the door is opened. Her ex-wife looked at peace and relaxed. It was unusual for Ava to sleep early but a lot of things were unusual today so she didn't mind.

She assisted Laurel onto the bed and tucked her in. She kissed the little girl goodnight and smoothed her hair. She was about to leave when she felt someone tug her shirt. "stay mommy"

"babe..." another thunder cut her off. Laurel pulled the duvet over her head and whimpered. Seeing the little girl so scared and shaken moved her heart. She found herself rubbing Laurel's arm under the covers, telling her to scoot over.

The king sized bed was more than enough room for the both of them. She was hesitant to climb up at first but she shouldn't be shy anymore. She has slept in the very same bed for years but feeling the mattress against her skin felt alien.

Laurel instinctively snuggled closer to her. She hummed her the song her mother always sang to her and her sister when they were younger. Minutes later the little girl calmed and fell asleep.

She was still humming the song when another thunder woke Ava up. The sound of the rain hitting the roof was relaxing and soothing that she didn't notice the other woman stirred.

"Sara?" she froze when she heard Ava.

"She woke up and went to my room crying." she gestured to Laurel

"Thunder?" the other woman's voice was groggy, still adjusting to waking up. She nodded in answer.

"she wanted to sleep beside you but she didn't want me to leave her awake." Sara played at the edge of the duvet. "I can leave if you want" she whispered while propping herself up with her elbow.

Ava propped herself up too. Their distance was suddenly constricted to their daughter's size. "Don't be silly. Stay" A wave of nostalgia and feelings flooded Sara. The way Ava sounded when she whispered her to stay made her stomach flutter.

"Okay" she murmured under her breath.

"good night Sara" Ava's piercing blue eyes locked in her own. Suddenly she couldn't breathe, her mind was scattered and a lump formed in her throat.

"good night" she whispered back.

Then Ava turned her back on her and hugged the pillow to her left. Sara looked down to her daughter and kissed her forehead. This house is bringing up so much of the past, it was terrifying and she couldn't do anything tonight but to close her eyes and face her fears the next morning.