My Sister's Keeper

Ava had hoped and prayed that Carol would find a way to back out of coming for Christmas, but she didn’t. And that’s why right now Ava was sitting at her kitchen islands with her head down on the smooth cool counter. It was just three days before the dinner and only one day before Carol was in town. And Ava was having a mini breakdown. Telling Hannah, Alex, and Laurel they were official was one thing, they had all but thrown them a party had time permitted Ava was sure Alex would have. But Carol was a whole different story she was her homophobic mother who blamed her very every wrongdoing in the world. If World War three were to break out somehow Carol would find a way to link Ava to it and blame it on her.

Not only was Carol coming now Ava had someone, someone special that she didn’t want Carol to run off. If there was any chance Sara could cut and run this is the woman who could make it happen, and it scared Ava to death.

“Ava, we can do this.” Hannah says as she walks in the kitchen. “It’s only a couple days.”

“You forget it’s like dog years with her one day equals seven years in Carol time.” Ava says without lifting her head.

“She is only going to be here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Other than that, I can keep her busy shopping and doing things out and about.” Hannah makes her way to sit by Ava and put her hand on her shoulder.

“We have one gay couple, a divorced lesbian mom with her daughter, you and weird bisexual vibes which by the way are my fault, Gary and his well I think he might be like pansexual or something, my girlfriend and her sister and me. The only person safe at this entire dinner is probably Mick. And maybe Laurel but her sister is my girlfriend so probably not. All we need is a big rainbow tree and maybe she will burst into flames when she walks through the door.” Ava looks up finally at Hannah with a smirk on her face. Hannah starts to laugh which leads Ava into a fit of laughter.

“Well she invited herself and the only thing I can say is I will stand by you one hundred percent if she says or does the wrong thing and you decide to ask her to leave. It will be her own fault.” Hannah nods and stands up to leave.

“Don’t tell her about Sara okay. I just don’t want to chance it.” Ava adds before she walks away. Hannah turns and stares at Ava almost in shock.

“Please tell me you are not going to hide the fact that you have a girlfriend?”

“I just…” she is thinking of how to phrase this, “I don’t want her to run her off. And for me its safer that she doesn’t know. Not yet. Ill tell Alex, Sara, and Laurel not to say anything and I’m telling you now. I don’t want to take the chance of her ruining this.” Ava is rambling but Hannah hears the hint of fear, she knows Ava is scared that Carol will do and say something that will cause Sara to leave. She nods and agrees and turns to leave not wanting to argue and wanting Ava to relax if this is what she has to do for her sister then she will.

A knock at the door stops her and she turns to Ava. “Are we expecting anyone?” Ava shakes her head and stands up and heads to answer the door.

“Not for like another half hour Alex and Zion are coming over.” Ava opens the door and her eyes go wide “Kara?”

A young blonde with glasses in an Army Service uniform with a black beret is standing in the doorway with a huge smile on her face with a travel bag on her shoulder. “Major Sharpe.” Ava motioned her forward before wrapping her into her arms and pulling her inside and closing the door.

“What are you doing here?” Ava was in shock “Does Alex know you’re here?”

“No, she doesn’t and don’t you say anything because I’m here to surprise her and my niece. I know they are on their way over.” Kara looks over and see’s Hannah and smiles. “Look at you L.T.” Hannah looked down and blushed when Kara said that. She had always had a crush on Kara and her showing up out of the blue well that gave her no time to prepare mentally. Kara broke her hug from Ava dropped her bag on the floor and went and stood in front of Hannah looking her up and down and noticing the boot on her foot.

“You look great Kara.” Hannah said noticing Kara looking at her foot. “Long story. Honestly clumsy story.” She laughed and it came out weird and Ava gave Hannah a weird look. “Anyways, Alex said you weren’t going to be back until after the new year.” Hannah pulls her Kara into a quick hug.

“Well that’s what I told her I wasn’t sure if id make it home by Christmas but somehow by some miracle here I am.” She smiled as she broke from the hug and her hands ran down Hannah’s arms the woman to blush again.

“Alex is going to flip out when she gets here.” Ava Smiles and grabs her hand giving Hannah a confused look. “Come on into the kitchen you want something to drink?” Ava and Kara walked into the kitchen and Hannah followed on her crutches.

They sat and talked for a few minutes and heard about Kara’s flight and how they were delayed in Germany for almost fifteen hours. Hannah told Kara about how she tripped over the coffee table and tore ligaments in her ankle and how it has led to Ava having a girlfriend but it’s on the down low. Ava avoids the topic of Sara and talks about Alex and her need for a girlfriend and Kara explains she is aware of that because Alex herself tells her that on a regular basis. They are still huddled in conversation when the door opens, and a little dark-haired girl comes running in yelling for Auntie Aves. Alex comes walking in dropping a bag down next to the door and starts talking not even looking up as she wanders over to the living room.

“Ava, I’m giving the kid to you she obviously loves you more than me.” She sits down on the couch when her daughter slowly comes walking back into the living room.
“Momma?” She says her voice a little unsure. Which gets Alex’s attention.

“Z, what’s wrong?” she stands up Z motions into the kitchen and Alex makes her way in there where Ava and Hannah are standing next to each other with weird grins on their faces. “what’s going on in here?” Z starts to look around standing by her mom’s legs.

“Wait where did she go?” Z quietly asks.

“Where did who go Z?” Alex looked down at her.

“The blonde lady in the green uniform. She was just there sitting next to Aunt Hannah.” She said pointing towards Ava and Hannah who still had weird smirks on their face still and hadn’t moved yet and it was starting to annoy Alex.

“Okay listen I have no idea what’s going on, but Z looks like she saw a ghost and you guys are acting really fucking creepy right now.” Alex just stared until she heard a voice come from behind Ava and Hannah that she was not expecting.

“I’m sorry I started to cry so I ask them to hide me. But Z got here so fast she saw me before I could hide.” Ava and Hannah stepped aside, and Kara had her back to Alex and slowly turned around to face her. Tears running down her face.

“Kara!” Alex ran to her sister and grabbed her in the tightest hug she had ever had before. “Oh my god!” She pushed herself back for a second and looked at her sister to make sure she was she was real, and this wasn’t a dream and pulled her back into the embrace and both had started crying now. Ava reached down and grabbed Z who was confused but knew what was happening was a good thing.

“That’s your Aunt Kara.” Ava pointed to the woman in green. Z looked at Ava and smiled.
“Momma’s told me stories about my Aunt Kara she can fly.” She held out her hands like a plane and pretended to fly. Kara saw this and broke her embrace from Alex who had also turned her attention to Z now mimicking flying around. When Kara approached her, she didn’t hesitate to leave Ava’s arms and fly into Kara and hug her. “Is it true you can fly?” she asked as she pulled back from hugging Kara.

“I can fly a helicopter.” Kara said laughing.

“That’s so neat!” Z said smiling and implying she wanted down so Kara let her down and she ran off into the living room.

“TV has her now.” Ava says as she watched Z put on her favorite show. “You had her for one whole minute.” They all laughed, and Alex threw her arms around Kara and they all sat down at the kitchen island and just caught up on everything.

The next day came and Hannah was battling some headaches, so Ava was off to the airport to pick up Carol. Just what she wanted an hour drive stuck in a car with Carol, Ava could only imagine the ride home with dread. So, she texted Sara and warned her to have alcohol ready just in case. Sara offered to go with her, but Ava was quick to advise she enjoyed their relationship and was not willing for it to end today of all days. Sara was sure to make sure she knew Carol would not be able to push her away but Ava being Ava she was adamant if there was anyone in the world who could, it would be Carol. Sara was beginning to really like this woman she had never met, because Ava deserved the world and Sara wasn’t going to let anyone stop her from giving Ava just that.

Ava stood at baggage claim the airport was filled with people as she looked around for Carol, she saw happy families as they embraced and excitedly ran to each other and she knew in her heart that she would have no embrace, see an excited smile on her mother’s face when she saw her and it made her sad to think the thoughts of years ago when life was normal when she was an over achiever that her mother was so proud of.

15 Years ago

“He saw you!” Carol yelled as Ava sat on the couch with her head down playing nervously with her hands.

“Who?” Ava whispered. “Who saw what?” She mumbled. Ava knew what had been seen and even though her mother was screaming at her she was glad. She was tired of hiding from her mother, she was tired of sneaking around.

“Jackson. He saw you and he told his father Paul and he came over here and told me my daughter was kissing another girl. Out in the open just for everyone to see like it was nothing.” Carol dropped her hands into her face. “Do you know how embarrassing this is for me?”

“Are you kidding me right now?” Ava voice was angry her eyes looked up to see Carol. “This is so not about you mom!”

“The hell it isn’t!” Carol yelled back her hands started to wave around in anger “You out there just, kissing another girl! Its unnatural is what it is Ava. You’re the valedictorian of your class, you have such a bright future ahead of you and then you go and do this!” She starts to pace in front of the couch in front of Ava.

“What does that have to do with anything? Me being valedictorian and how did I ruin my future? Nothing has changed! All I did was kiss my girlfriend. Everyone knows she is my girlfriend!” Ava stands up and crosses her arms around her chest, trying to calm her voice. “The only thing that has changed is now you know! You know something that I was too afraid to tell you because I knew you would act like this.” She waves her hands at her mother. “Nothing has changed, not one damn thing I am still me! But now you know I like girls. That’s it.”

“It’s a phase Ava.” She stops and places her hands-on Ava’s elbows where they are crossed in front of her body. “You’ll meet a nice man and get married someday and this will just be some crazy thing you did in high school.” Ava throws her arms down and gets closer to her mother and looks her in the eyes, with a stern voice to reply.

“It’s not a phase mom. I have never liked boys, ever.” She leans back a little and lets it out. “I had my first girlfriend when I was 12. Remember Joanna? And my first kiss was with Melissa when I was 14 and last night Jackson, he saw me kissing Steph mom we have been girlfriends for almost two years now.” She waits knowing her mother is about to explode.

“Steph has spent so many nights in this house!” her voice is low and deep almost a growl. “She has slept in your room for years. Have you...?” She stops herself “Did you sleep with her in this house?” She was angry very angry; Ava had never seen her this angry before.

“Of course not. We have never. I…” Ava looks down she looks back up and makes it clear “I am a virgin. I haven’t crossed any lines in the house, not that line of course.” Ava looks back up and her mother just peers into her eyes. “I’m still me mom.” She reaches out and her mother steps back and shakes her head.

“No, you’re not. I’m beyond disappointed in you and I have nothing else to say.” Carol walks away and into her room slamming the door leaving Ava alone in the living room with tears in her eyes. When a young Hannah walks in and see’s Ava standing in shock not moving, she walks up to her and gives her a bear hug. Ava wraps her arms around her younger sister and let’s go, crying and sobbing in her arms.

Present:
Ava is brought back from her thoughts by Carol, her mother’s voice. “You know I tell you what I hate flying I don’t know why I don’t just drive. I always have the worst luck with seating. The man sitting next to me on the flight must have bathed in cologne before her got on the airplane.” She stops and looks at Ava who is just staring at her. “Where is Hannah?”

“She had a headache.” Ava replies short and precise as she sees her mother’s reaction to being left alone with only Ava. Don’t worry you can’t catch the gay…Ava thinks to herself; her mother had treated it like some sort of virus in conversation. Still wishing it away hoping it’s a phase, but Ava had stopped asking for her to care. If Ava was being honest, she really had just did exactly what her mom wanted she didn’t talk about it. It didn’t help that most of the time they ever spent together they fought anyways. The two walked in silence to baggage claim and Ava pointed “Which one is yours?”

“The blue one.” Carol pointed it out on the baggage claim as Ava reached over and grabbed it off the moving metal. She handed it her mother and started to walk towards parking as her mother followed. They were good at this not talking it was better then talking or well yelling. So, once they got the car Ava put her bags in the back seat and they drove home with light music playing the background neither saying a word.

Once they were out the house her mother had settled on the couch with a glass of wine and Hannah had finally come out of her room the headache, she had finally subsided enough for her to function. Ava was in the kitchen checking yet again her grocery list she popped her head out to the living room. “Does anyone need anything from the grocery store I’m about to head out and grab the last of what I need for Christmas Dinner?” Hannah shook her head no and Carol mirror the motion also, so Ava grabbed her list and headed for the door.

Ava was glad to get away from the awkward silence that had become her home. Walking around the grocery store slowing grabbing items she needs on her list all of the sudden her cart is pushed a little into her when she looks up and sees that bright smile and those blue eyes staring at her.

“Excuse me Major, I was looking for my girlfriend maybe you’ve seen her. Long legs, gorgeous blonde hair, the most beautiful eyes of blue, and honestly my favorite feature really nice boobs.” Ava snorted at the final comment and a huge grin spread across her face.

“You.” She motioned for Sara to come closer and she grabbed her in a tight hug. She needed this hug she needed to feel safe and feeling Sara tighten the hug she knew Sara knew she needed it too. Sara pulled away so she could look her in the eyes.

“You okay?” Sara was concerned.

“I am now.” Ava smiled and putting her hand to Sara’s cheek she placed a sweet kiss on Sara’s lips.

“She has only been here like two hours?” Sara raises her eyebrow and Ava does the same.

“Two hours too long.” Ava retorts.

“Have you even said anything to her?” Sara breaks from the hug and moves to where she can push the cart and follow Ava as she starts to walk down the aisle looking for something.

“I asked her which bag was hers on the baggage claim.” Ava looks at Sara who looks unamused. “What? Sara, I told you every conversation we have ends in some big fight about how disappointed she is in me and how I’m just a big fat failure.” Ava stops and continues looking at the shelf.

“Please tell me you don’t believe that?” Sara was concerned she knew Ava had a past that she seemed to let people put her down and she was worried that Ava might actually believe this, could she possibly believe that she was anything other than extraordinary.

Ava looks at Sara and smiles “I promise you I know I am not a failure. I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am and if she doesn’t see that or is too blind to notice that’s on her. But I decided a long time ago I am not looking for her approval, I just want to be happy and live my life.” Sara walks over to her and places her hands on her cheeks and places a soft kiss on her lips. Ava blushes a little she still can’t believe Sara is kissing her it seems so unreal to her.

“So, are we still on for tomorrow night?” Sara eyes were a deeper blue when she asked this question and Ava had never seen that before. Did her eyes just change color? Ava blinked and her eyes had return to their lighter blue and Ava nodded to let Sara know they were still on. “Great ill pick you up at 8.” She placed a quick kiss on Ava’s cheek and leaned into her ear and whispered. “Laurel will be gone tomorrow night so I’m very much looking forward to making out with my girlfriend on my couch.” When she pulled back Ava’s neck and face were totally flushed, and Ava’s eyes were wide with surprise. Ava thought they were going out to dinner but apparently, they were going to Sara’s for dinner and this would be the first time they spent a date night in private. As Sara kissed her one more time softly on the lips and walked away Ava stood up straight and was lost in her own thoughts as she watched her walk away down the aisle.

The next night Ava was at Sara’s and they were eating dinner that Sara had made some Chicken and rice one of the meals Sara said she had perfected. Ava had told her about the last day and half since they had seen each other, she had managed to keep distance between her mother and herself with Hannah’s help keeping her busy going out and doing last minute shopping. Sara finally asked the question she wanted to ask that had been on her mind about Ava’s mother.

“So, does she know about us?” As Sara motioned between the two of them as she stood up from the table and grabbed her glass of wine to head towards the living room and Ava followed. They both sat on the couch with a little distance between them.

“I, honestly haven’t said anything I’ve avoided her mostly.” Ava looked down she wasn’t embarrassed about Sara she was more nervous of how Carol would treat Sara if she knew. Sara eyed her curiously.

“Look.” Sara puts her glass on the small table in front of them and turns to Ava. “I get that your mother is a giant homophobic whatever.” Her hands motion in the air. “And if you don’t want to say anything right now, I am not going to be mad. I just…” Sara plays with a small string on her jeans. “I don’t know how I will react if she says something that pisses me off. And what if she does? I can’t exactly body slam her or punch her or anything. Since I’ve been told by legal counsel that I got really lucky the last time I did that.” Sara smirks and folds her hands in her lap and Ava lets a little chuckle out.

Ava puts her glass down on the table next to Sara’s and moves closer to her putting one hand on Sara’s and the other reaches over and lifts her chin up so Ava can look into her eyes. “Sara, I want you to be exactly who you are at dinner. I am just nervous because honestly, she tends to say things that just cause problems and I’m so nervous about her being around everyone and I didn’t want to address this (she motions between them) while worrying about everything else. And please know if she says anything that would provoke you to even contemplate physical violence, I will kick her out. I’ve done it before.” Ava finishes chuckling but still looking into Sara’s eyes.

“Okay, I fully understand that, but I am going to find a way to sneak kisses.” Sara looks at Ava with a smirk, and Ava blushes and nods.

“Well I do have a big house and lots of little rooms we can disappear into.”

Ava leans in and kisses Sara softly and Sara pushes back into the kiss wrapping her arms around Ava’s neck and pulling herself closer to Ava. And before Ava even knows it Sara has her legs thrown over either side of Ava and she is straddled on top of Ava and their kisses are passionate and hungry with lust. Ava relaxes back on the back of the couch and Sara slowly pulls away from her lips and Sara’s lips kiss down Ava’s jawline to her neck finding the pulse point and softly sucking it and letting her tongue sooth the ache once she releases it. Ava moans at the sensation and grabs Sara’s face with her hands and pulls her into another passionate kiss. Ava bites Sara’s bottom lip which causes the first moan to escape Sara’s lips and Ava moves her lips down to her pressure point mimicking the same thing Sara had just done to her. Sara’s hips start to move on top of Ava, and it causes Ava to move her hands to Sara’s backside cupping each cheek causing another moan to escape from Sara’s lips. Ava’s kissing Sara’s neck when she moves one hand up to the hem of Sara’s shirt and feels skin as she pulls Sara closer and kisses her again on the lips.

Ava doesn’t want to stop but knows she should no matter how good Sara feels and how a desperate fire is burning between her legs with a need to be cooled. She swiftly moves to lower herself on top of Sara on the couch and places her leg in between Sara’s thighs and puts her body wait down and she hears Sara’s breath catch and she kisses her with lust. Sara can see the look in Ava’s eyes she knows it matches hers and she wants this, but they had decided to be responsible and take their time. And making out was amazing and now Ava on top of her Ava’s body moving against hers she could just die happy now but too many times in the past Sara had ruined things by going to fast. And with Ava she wanted it to matter she wanted to take her time. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew Ava was her forever and she didn’t want to mess it up, so she broke her kiss away and brought Ava’s forehead to rest on her forehead. Both breathing warmly against each other trying to catch their breath staring into each other’s eyes watching the color return.

“I won’t be able to control myself if we don’t stop.” Sara said out of breath and with blatant honesty.

Ava nodded and moved to lift her weight from Sara grabbing her hands and pulling her into a sitting position. “I’m sorry I kept telling myself the same thing and then well…” She pointed at Sara “look at you, I couldn’t help myself.” She said smiling and blushing at the same time.

“I did too believe you me. It took a lot of control to stop myself just then.” She looks up into Ava’s eyes. God those eyes made her stomach flip and she wanted nothing more that to look into them everyday for the rest of life. Was it possible she was already falling in love with this woman?

Ava just stared back into Sara’s eyes as they sit there in silence, Ava couldn’t believe that she had this beautiful creature in front of her. She found herself wondering what if I just jump on her right now would she actually stop me? But Sara was right they wanted to do this right and not rush into anything, but Ava was finding it harder and harder not to want to kiss her everywhere. And that was new to Ava she had never felt so much passion for someone before. And she had never wanted to be around someone all the time. Strictly speaking she enjoyed being alone, but she finds herself always wanting Sara nearby close to her. And she hoped and prayed that Sara felt the same way, Ava leans in and places a soft kiss on Sara’s lips and a smile that smile lit up her world on Sara’s face. It was worth it to wait because if it meant that smile would be in her life forever, she would wait forever if she had too. Fuck I am so far gone. I think this woman is my soulmate. Ava’s mind went racing.