Where Everything Changed
"Where do you want to go next?" Nyssa asked as they walked through the streets. It had been three years since the day Sara had come back to her life. Things have been going well, but the fear hasn't completely left her. But she tries to enjoy every moment she has with her.
"Let's get some ice cream." Sara suggested. "Would you like some ice cream?" She asked the little boy holding her other hand, as Nyssa was holding the other.
"Yes! Can we?" Nathan answered excitedly.
They have become quite a family. They do almost everything together. They love each other unconditionally. Nathan even calls Sara, mama. The unbreakable bond that Nyssa and Sara had always shared has extended to Nathan. He's their most wonderful blessing. Everything is close to perfect, except there was still no ring.
The idea of marriage never came up again after that day that Sara gave the ring back to Nyssa. She knew Nyssa would when she's ready. She won't rush. She'll just wait like Nyssa had for her. She just hopes she hadn't given up on the idea completely.
"Hi. Excuse me." Some well built guy walked up to them. "We're having a juniors martial arts class going in the gym right now, maybe you'd be interested to join."
"Ah, no, thanks. We're good." Sara responded politely.
"Or you can just watch maybe it will encourage you next time. It may be good for the kid." The guy insisted.
"Mom, can we go see?" Nathan asked Nyssa with pleading eyes neither could refuse.
"Sure."
They were led to a very spacious gym, where there were a number of kids of varying ages. The class hasn't started yet by the looks of the kids playing around and chatting on one side.
"Martial Arts is great to teach at such a young age. They will learn early on how to defend themselves, especially for your kid."
"What do you mean?"
"It's good for a kid to be taught by a man how to fight."
"Wow. Are you saying a woman cannot?" Sara shot back.
"Not in a sense that a man can." He said arrogantly.
"I am offended by that."
"I'm just stating facts. Women are not as physically capable as men. If you like, I could even teach you a few things. Times these days, can't be too careful."
"Are you calling me weak and helpless?" Sara was getting ticked off by his arrogance. At first, she welcomed the idea of enrolling Nathan at the gym so he can train and learn with other kids, but getting to know this trainer, she's going back on it.
"Don't take it personally. It's science."
Sara definitely wanted to kick the guy's teeth down his throat.
"Did you just insult my wife?" Nyssa finally spoke up. And all the annoyance Sara was feeling seemed to have subsided with what she had heard. Did she just say wife? She wanted to call her on sit right then and there but the joy it brought her was just overwhelming, she couldn't say anything.
"Hey, I wasn't."
"You think I can't take you on?" Sara challenged.
"Let's not go there. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."
"Do you own this place?" Sara asked.
"My brother does." He pointed at a slightly taller guy than him with the same built.
Sara walked up to him and called him to join in on their heating conversation. Nyssa was just shaking her head and smiling. She knew Sara wasn't going to let it go. She misses fighting. They would spar at home from time to time, but she would love to actually beat someone up.
"What can I do for you, ladies?" The seemingly polite brother said.
"I was wondering if you'd allow me to challenge your brother into a match."
He looked at his arrogant brother in dismay, knowing what he had done.
"I apologize for my brother's behavior."
"I still insist on the fight."
"Are you sure?"
"C'mon. No way he's gonna let that happen."
"Are you scared of me? I bet I can take you on."
"I highly doubt that."
The bigger brother observed carefully and decided. "Okay."
"What?" The other exclaimed.
"You insulted her. She wants to fight. Either that or you apologize."
He knew his brother was too proud to do that. He would fight. And if he was right, it wouldn't be as easy as he thinks.
"Fine, but if she gets hurt, it's on you." He then went to get the kids all on the side to make more space on the mat and away from the action.
"Careful." Nyssa reminded Sara before giving her a kiss.
"I can handle him."
"You might break him."
"I got this...wife." She said in reply with a playful wink.
Nyssa let out a small laugh. She didn't think she had caught that slip of the tongue, but that wasn't really something you let sly.
Sara followed to the mat, removing her shoes to keep it clean and even the playing field.
"My brother doesn't stand a chance, does he?" The brother asked Nyssa.
"What made you think that?"
"Mommy, is mama going to fight?" Nathan asked looking up at her.
"Yeah, baby. Just watch."
"I don't think she would have challenged him if she doesn't know she can take him on. And she has a great athletic and strong build and that confidence."
"Tell me, are you the better fighter?"
"He's the stronger one, I'm just smarter. And his arrogance is his biggest weakness. I'm Gavin, by the way."
"Nyssa."
"Do you fight as well?"
"I taught her how." Nyssa said proudly.
On the mat, Sara and Gavin's brother still hasn't engaged each other.
"Last chance to bow out."
"Not happening."
"I just don't want you to hurt yourself."
"Maybe, I'll hurt you."
"Ha. Fine, I'll just let you throw the first punch."
"That's cute."
Testing him out, Sara threw a quick and simple combination of punches, which he easily blocked. He sported such a smug face that she wanted to wipe it off so bad. With swift movements, Sara threw a hard punch to his face, making him stunned in disbelief. She kicked the back of his knee, taking him down a little, then an elbow to the chest. Taken by surprise and out of breath, Sara was satisfied with the initial work. She knew by his outraged look he will be up for more.
He charged at her, throwing kicks and punches in haste making it easy for Sara to block them. She threw in a couple of calculated blows of her own, making him cringe and back off a little every time. He tried to take advantage of his size and throw Sara over his shoulder when he caught her in his arms, but Sara landed on her feet and gave him a hard kick on the back.
"I think that's enough, Sara." Nyssa said to stop her, which she didn't argue with. She already had her fun and satisfaction.
"I'm still not done with you." He said to her standing up.
"Know when you're beat, brother. You're making a fool of yourself in front of the students."
He scoffed and glared at Sara before retreating to the lockers.
"Again, I apologize. And thank you. He needs to be taught a lesson every once in a while. And if it's okay, I would like to invite you to teach here."
"Thanks. We'll give it some thought." Nyssa responded.
"Thank you."
They walked out hand in hand. Nathan was in awe to see Sara fight. Nyssa and Sara don't really get to spar when he's around. They usually wait til he's asleep. They think he's still too young to be brought into the world they have lived in.
"That was so awesome, mama! How'd you do that?"
Sara and Nyssa shared a look. Maybe it was okay to finally let him know.
"Remember the stories we tell you?"
"The heroes, legends, assassins, and all that stuff?"
"Yes."
"Those were you? You were heroes?"
"Mama was a hero and a legend. I was the assassin. And daddy." Nyssa informed him.
"Mommy was also a hero. She's my hero." Sara then gave Nyssa a kiss on the cheek.
"Which ones were you?"
"Can you guess?"
"Are you the White Canary? She's so cool!"
Sara gave him a knowing smile and it was enough to make him jump up and down. He loved his parents stories. And knowing that they're real and his parents are heroes, he's on top of the world. He went on and on asking questions about the stories they've told until they got back home, through dinner and until he fell asleep. Nyssa and Sara loved his excitement of it. And they knew it was just the beginning. There was no stopping him now. He would eventually ask them to teach him, and of course they would not refuse. Maybe he'd continue the legacy they started.
"Before I forget, there's something we have to talk about." Sara propped herself onto her elbow so she could look at Nyssa eye to eye as they were lying in bed.
"What is it?" Nyssa asked, distracted as she traced small circles on Sara's exposed hip.
"I don't know...wife?"
Nyssa gave out a small laugh. She had a thought that was coming. But she continued trailing her fingers on her skin.
"What about it?" She said pretending like it was no big deal.
"Well, the fact that you haven't even asked me yet."
"Ok."
Sara raised an eyebrow at her, shocked by her lack of response. She smacked Nyssa's caressing hand when she still got nothing.
"What? Do you want a proposal right now?"
"Of course not! But it better be good. You've put up a high bar for yourself, Nyssa Raatko."
"Nothing but the best for you, Sara Lance."
Who was Sara kidding? It didn't really matter to her how or when Nyssa asks her. She just wants to know if she still wants what they have dreamed of having together. But she doesn't want it in right then when she could have pushed her to do so. She wants it to be on Nyssa's terms. And she'll wait until that time comes.
"Can I get back to what I was doing?" Nyssa asked as she took Sara's hand a placed a kiss on it. Then she locked her lips with hers and Sara simply melted into it. Nyssa pushed Sara on her back so she was on top and deepened the kiss. It was not the first time they had kissed with such passion, but somehow the kiss they were sharing was different.
Then Nyssa pulled away and just stared into Sara's eyes that was filled with love, lust, and then wonder why she pulled away.
"What?"
Nyssa responded with a sweet lingering kiss on her forehead. She leaned her forehead with hers and just looked deep into Sara's eyes. She was finally ready to let go of all the doubts she had of Sara ever staying with her for good.
"I love you, Sara." She whispered, making Sara's heart swelled with all the emotion laced within those words.
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"Sara, your father called." Nyssa said when she came back down from a shower.
"What did he say?"
"He misses you and when do you plan on visiting."
When Sara didn't say anything in response, Nyssa knew exactly the reason why. She's been back for three years, and within the three years she'd been with Nyssa, she hadn't brought up the idea of going to Star City to visit her family and friends. Nyssa knew it was because of her. Sara doesn't want to go even just to visit because those were the very reasons she had when she had left her in the past. They were the ones she had left her for.
"If I'm the reason you're second guessing, don't. I'm okay with it. We are doing great. We're happy. You are happy, right?"
"Of course I am." Sara said solemnly as she leaned in on Nyssa for an embrace. "It's just..." She trailed of not knowing how to explain her worries.
"What if I go with you? Why don't we all go? You, me, Nathan. It'd be nice to visit."
"You'd do that?"
"Oh, Sara. They are no strangers to me. They're your family and friends. They matter to you, so they matter to me." Nyssa said to reassure her.
"Thank you."
"And Nathan would love your father for sure."
"Yeah. Dad would adore him too."
Nathan was so excited when they told him they were going to Star City that he wouldn't stop talking and moving. He jumped up and down the bed while Nyssa packed his clothes. And he was running around all over the house as Nyssa and Sara packed their own things. He wouldn't stop asking 'are we going yet?'
They loved to see the amusement in his eyes when they boarded the plane. It was his first airplane ride. And he still couldn't shut up about it.
Star City. It had been a long time since she and Nyssa were there together. It was still Starling then. It wasn't just home or where she had come from. To Sara, it was where she had met Nyssa and where their story had begun. She could still recall most of the memories they made vividly.
"Can we go see the Green Arrow, ma?" Nathan said first thing when they landed.
"If uncle Ollie isn't busy. But we're going to see grandpa first."
"Okay."
They went to the precinct to find Quentin, but he wasn't there. They decided to go to the Arrowcave, and luckily everyone was there. And the moment the elevators opened, Nathan was so awestruck he was finally at a loss for words.
"Sara. Nyssa."
"Hi, daddy." Sara said with a smile as walked over to give her father a hug.
"You didn't tell me you were coming."
"It's meant as a surprise."
Quentin let go of Sara and offered a hug to Nyssa. Nyssa was reluctant at first since it was not really like her to do so, but how could she refuse him. She has such high regard for the man, not only because he's the father of her beloved. And she has somewhat become like a daughter to Quentin being so deeply involved with both his daughters' lives. And she has come to mean so much to all of them.
"It's great to see you, Quentin."
"And who is this?" Quentin said when he finally noticed the little boy standing silently behind them.
"Dad, this is Nathan. Our son."
"Son? How much have I missed? It's been what? Three years?"
"He's my son." Nyssa said to clarify. "Now, as well as Sara's."
"Okay." He said not asking for more. He turned his attention to Nathan, who was hiding behind Nyssa. "Hey, little guy."
Nathan looked up at his parents not knowing how to respond to the stranger in front of him.
"It's okay, baby. This is grandpa." Sara reassured him.
"Didn't think I'd get to be called that." Quentin said lightly. After Laurel had died, and the fact that Sara was off somewhere, sometime, he never thought he'd have a grandchild. Added the fact that though Sara's back, her true love is a woman. Even if the boy is not his blood, he will be family to him.
He walked forward as Quentin knelt to be of level with him.
"Are you a hero too, grandpa?"
"No. I'm a cop."
"Cop's can be heroes too."
"I guess you're right. Do you want to be a hero?"
"Of course! I'm gonna be just like my mommies."
"That they are."
After a few more exchange in conversation, Nathan remembered that they were in the Arrowcave and went on to meet the Green Arrow and the rest of the team.
"You've got quite a boy there." Quentin said to Nyssa as they watched Nathan with Sara interacting with the rest.
"He's getting to be more and more like Sara."
"Good luck. I love my daughter, but she was a pain growing up."
They both laughed at the thought.
"I want to ask you something, Quentin." Nyssa said in a more serious note.
"The answer's yes."
"You don't even know what I was going to ask."
"You want my blessing to marry my daughter. I know how much you love each other. And you already have a family of your own. There's no one I want for Sara than you."
"Thank you." Nyssa was touched by his words. She didn't really have to ask for his blessing. She could have just done whatever she wanted. But he has come to mean a lot to her. And his words weighed so much.
"And one more thing. I want to give Nathan your name, Lance. I know he's not really..."
"That would be nice." Quentin said cutting her off. There was no need for more explanation. She wants him to be a Lance. He's family. He doesn't need anything else.
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After a quick lunch and a short walk around the city. They went to Starling Academy to reminisce of the early days. They told Nathan of their story; when Nyssa decided to stay when she first saw Sara, how she started to write her letters, how they first met.
He loved hearing their stories, whether it was adventurous or not. It just always seems interesting for him.
"Mommy shot an arrow at me when we first met." Sara said.
"What?" Nathan asked clearly baffled.
"Yes, she shot an arrow at me. Can you believe that?"
"Why?"
"I was..." Nyssa started to explain her side of the story but Sara cut her off.
"I'm telling the story here, babe. It's more fun."
"It's less accurate."
"Are you saying I'm lying?"
"I'm saying you exaggerate."
Sara raised her eyebrow at her. "Go walk around."
Nyssa obliged smiling to herself. Sara wasn't expecting her to shoot back like that and the look of surprise on her face was too precious. She started heading out to the direction of the archery range, then shouted, "I love you, Sara Lance!" Making the two smile in the midst of storytelling.
Nyssa looked around. Even after all those years, not much had changed. The buildings are just more faded. The grounds are still well kept. They were nothing more that students passing through those doors. But it meant something to her. It was where she had met Sara. It was in those halls, those classrooms, that field, where their story began.
She looked back at the same tree where Sara stood when they first met, where the two most important people in her life now stood. She felt blissfully happy at the sight of them smiling, even at a distance. It felt like everything was in place. Everything was perfect now that she has them in her life. There's just one more she needed.
"So, daddy was there too?"
"Yeah. He was the one throwing the ball."
"Then what happened?"
"I screamed and yelled at mommy. It got me so scared then. It was so close to my head."
Then in that moment an arrow came hurtling toward her, another close call. Sara's eyes went wide. "Seriously, Nyssa!" All she got in response was a smile. Nathan was just laughing by her side. He was surprised by the shot but Sara's reaction was just too funny for him.
"See what I was telling you?"
Sara turned to get the arrow out of the tree, and noticed that there was a letter tied to it. 'Of course.' She thought to herself. She took the letter and unfolded it.
Sara,
When I first saw you, I thought how such beauty could exist, and that a sweet and innocent girl like you could never love someone like me. I thought then that I could never have you, but I couldn't stay away. I needed to see you, to feel close to you somehow. I kept my distance, but decided to stay.
I can't remember what made me send you those notes and letters. And when I saw you smile as you read them, I knew I couldn't stop. It was nice to see you smile. And it was nicer to know I was the one to put it there.
Then this happened. It was in this moment that changed everything for me. It was not the grandest of meetings, well it was kind of a disaster, but I met you. And right then and there, I knew I can no longer hold back. I can no longer keep my distance. I can no longer be without you. Right then, I decided I will do whatever it takes to have you in my life no matter how small a part I could get.
I never thought you could love me. And the first time you told me that you do, I asked myself why. But as you stayed longer in my life, I stopped to question. Knowing why didn't matter, all that mattered was that you did. You do. And I am always grateful to be loved by you.
I am still afraid. I think I always will be. It's not because of the past. I just fear losing you because you mean the most to me. And it has been the most difficult of times in my life whenever I am without you. Our relationship is full of ups and downs, a turmoil of emotions, but it's worth everything because I am with you. And I don't want to waste anymore time. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she read through the letter, as she recalled everything they went through and shared. It was true. It wasn't easy for them, but it was all worth it. She was happiest with her. She was most complete with her. When she had finished and lowered the letter from her gaze, Nyssa was there standing before her, with tears clouding her eyes as well. She took Sara's hands in hers and held it close to her chest, where her heart beats for her. She took the same ring she had meant to give her before out. And both of them could barely contain the beautiful emotions they were feeling.
"Sara, I love you. I never want to be without you ever again. You changed my life the moment you walked in it. Please change it again. Make it grander than it has ever been. Stay with me. Be my wife. Be my everlasting light."
"Yes. Of course yes. I love you, Nyssa. Yes." There were so much more that Sara wanted to day, but completely overwhelmed, those were the only words she could make.
They then shared a brief but passionate kiss. They parted a few inches and looked into each other's eyes, looked at the smiling boy standing by their side, then back at each other. Yes, they have all that they could ever ask for, each other, plus a beautiful son to make things better.
"That happened too?"
"No. But mommy wanted to kiss me then."
"Of course, I did. I was already in love with you."
"Yet, you shot at me."
And they all just laughed wholeheartedly. It was such a perfectly beautiful picture they painted.