Chapter 61: Family Ties

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns as Liam pulled his car into the driveway of his villa. Ava and Mia, exhausted but exhilarated from their day at the amusement park, tumbled out of the backseat, their laughter echoing through the quiet evening air.Liam, still slightly shaky from witnessing Ava conquer the roller coasters with fearless abandon, followed them towards the house, a sense of contentment settling over him. He unlocked the front door, ushering Ava and Mia inside."Welcome home," he said, a warmth spreading through his chest as he surveyed the scene. Ava, her cheeks flushed and her hair windblown, looked radiant. Mia, clutching a giant stuffed panda won at a ring toss game, was a picture of pure joy.But his warm feelings were momentarily interrupted by a sight that made him pause. Nancy, his sister and Mia's mother, was seated on the living room sofa, a cup of tea in her hand and a concerned expression on her face.Liam's brow furrowed. He hadn't expected Nancy to be here. He exchanged a quick glance with Ava, a silent question hanging in the air."Ava, Mia," Liam said, his voice gentle, "why don't you two go and wash up? I need to have a quick word with Nancy."Ava, sensing the underlying tension, nodded and steered Mia towards the bathroom. Liam watched them go, then turned to face his sister."Nancy, what's going on?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.Nancy set down her teacup, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of worry and apprehension. "Liam, we need to talk about Ava."Liam's heart sank. He had hoped to avoid this conversation, to allow his relationship with Ava to develop naturally before facing his sister's inevitable scrutiny. But it seemed the confrontation had arrived sooner than expected."What about Ava?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.Nancy hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the hallway where Ava and Mia had disappeared. "Liam, are you serious about this girl?" she asked, her voice low and earnest.Liam's expression hardened. "Of course I am, Nancy. Ava is incredible. She's smart, kind, ambitious... I've never met anyone like her."Nancy sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Liam, I know you're smitten. But you barely know her. And she's... well, she's not exactly from our world."Liam bristled at his sister's words, a defensive tone creeping into his voice. "What's that supposed to mean, Nancy? Ava is a brilliant game developer. She's starting her own company. She's going to be incredibly successful."Nancy raised her hands in a placating gesture. "Liam, I'm not trying to be critical. I just want you to be careful. You've been hurt before, and I don't want to see you get hurt again."Liam's expression softened, his anger replaced by a wave of understanding. He knew his sister was just looking out for him, that her concerns stemmed from a place of love and protectiveness."I appreciate your concern, Nancy," he said, his voice gentle. "But I assure you, Ava is not like anyone I've ever met. She's not interested in my money or my social status. She loves me for who I am, and I love her for who she is."Nancy's expression softened slightly, a flicker of hope replacing the worry in her eyes. "I hope you're right, Liam," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I just want you to be happy."Liam smiled, reaching out to squeeze his sister's hand. "I am happy, Nancy. Happier than I've ever been."Just then, Ava's voice called from the kitchen, "Dinner's ready!"Liam turned towards the sound, his heart swelling with affection. "Come on, Nancy. Let's eat."He led his sister into the dining room, where Ava had set the table with a simple yet elegant meal. Mia was already seated, her eyes shining with anticipation."Nancy, this is Ava," Liam said, formally introducing them."It's a pleasure to meet you, Ava," Nancy said, her eyes assessing Ava with a keen intelligence."The pleasure is all mine, Nancy," Ava replied, her smile warm and genuine.As they settled around the table, Nancy steered the conversation towards Ava's background, her questions probing yet subtle. Ava, sensing the underlying test, answered honestly and openly, sharing stories of her childhood, her struggles, and her dreams.Nancy listened intently, her expression a mix of curiosity and cautious approval. She was particularly interested in Ava's scholarship to college and her determination to succeed in the male-dominated world of game development."It must have been challenging," Nancy commented, "being a scholarship student amongst the privileged elite."Ava nodded. "It was. But it also fueled my ambition. I wanted to prove that I deserved to be there, that I could achieve anything I set my mind to."Nancy's lips curved into a subtle smile. "And you certainly have," she acknowledged, her voice carrying a hint of newfound respect.As the evening progressed, Nancy's initial reservations seemed to melt away. She engaged in lively conversations with Ava, their laughter filling the room, a testament to the growing connection between them.By the end of the meal, Liam felt a sense of relief and gratitude. His sister, and Mia's mother, seemed to approve of Ava, recognizing the genuine warmth and strength that lay beneath her unassuming exterior. He knew that their journey as a family wouldn't be without its challenges, but he also knew that with Ava by his side, and with Nancy's growing acceptance, they could face anything together.