Chapter 70

The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the kitchen as Ava methodically diced vegetables, lost in her thoughts. Maggie observed her with a mixture of concern and empathy. She had noticed Ava's distant demeanor lately and decided to address it.

" Ava, dear, is everything alright? " Maggie asked gently, her eyes studying Ava's face.

Ava looked up, momentarily startled, as if she had been pulled from a reverie. " Oh, sorry, Maggie. I was lost in my thoughts " she replied, forcing a smile.

Maggie nodded knowingly. " To be honest, I’ve noticed this for a while. You used to be so happy and cheerful, but lately, you’ve changed " she observed, concern etched on her wrinkled face.

Ava shook her head, trying to dismiss Maggie's concern. " Don't worry about me, Maggie. I'll handle it " she assured, not wanting to burden anyone with her inner turmoil.

Maggie, however, wasn't one to easily give up on someone in need. She persisted, her voice gentle but insistent. " It's Alex, isn't it? "

Ava's eyes widened slightly in surprise. " How did you figure that out? " she asked, taken aback by Maggie's astuteness.

" Child, I'm not blind " Maggie chuckled softly. " I've seen the way he looks at you. There's something between you two, isn't there? I might not know the details, but I can tell that man cares deeply for you "

Ava sighed, her shoulders slumping a bit. " It's complicated, Maggie. There's just... things " she trailed off, finding it difficult to articulate her feelings.

Maggie placed a comforting hand on Ava's shoulder. " Sometimes, the best things in life are tangled and messy. But if there's love, it's worth ironing out the wrinkles " she advised gently, her eyes filled with wisdom born of experience.

Ava looked at Maggie, touched by her genuine concern and wisdom. A small smile formed on her lips as she realized the truth in Maggie's words. " Thank you, Maggie. I'll... I'll try to sort things out " she promised, feeling a glimmer of hope and determination.

" Please do child, that boy cares about you " Maggie urged.

Ava paused in her vegetable cutting, looking at Maggie with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. " You really think he cares? " she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.

Maggie nodded reassuringly. " I've seen enough in my years, child. Love has a way of showing itself, even when things seem tangled "

Ava sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of her emotions. " I wish things were simpler " she confessed softly, her fingers gripping the knife a bit tighter.

Maggie chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with warmth. " If life were simple, it wouldn't be worth living. But sometimes, the best things come from facing the complexities "

The older woman's words resonated with Ava, stirring a sense of determination within her. " I've been hesitant, unsure " Ava admitted, a flicker of doubt crossing her features.

Maggie patted Ava's hand affectionately. " Child, sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith. If your heart tells you there's something worth fighting for, then fight for it "

Ava nodded, a sense of resolution building within her. " Thank you, Maggie. I needed this " she said, a hint of determination in her voice.

As the evening light streamed in through the kitchen window, Ava felt a newfound sense of purpose. She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, steeling herself to confront the feelings she'd been avoiding.

Maggie smiled warmly. " You'll figure it out, dear. And when you do, it'll be worth it " she reassured before returning to her culinary tasks.

Ava left the kitchen with a lighter step, her mind buzzing with thoughts and plans. She was determined to confront the complexities of her relationship with Alex, spurred on by Maggie's words of wisdom and encouragement.

*******************

Ava sat in the dimly lit living room, the hours passing slowly as she contemplated the wisdom Maggie had shared. Her heart drummed with anticipation and nerves, but her determination to address the lingering tension between her and Alex kept her awake.

A little past midnight, the click of the door handle interrupted the quiet of the room. Alex's silhouette filled the doorway, and despite the darkness, he sensed he wasn't alone. He flicked on the lights, revealing Ava sprawled on the couch, her eyes heavy with sleep.

A soft smile graced Alex's lips at the sight of her. His heart skipped a beat, wondering why she wasn't in her room. Suppressing the hope that she might be waiting for him, he approached her gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

" Ava? " he called softly, shaking her lightly to rouse her from sleep.

Ava stirred, blinking sleepily as she gradually came to. " Alex? " she murmured, rubbing her eyes in confusion.

" Yeah, it's me " Alex replied tenderly, his voice filled with warmth. " Why are you not sleeping in your room, baby girl? " he inquired softly, concern lacing his words.

Ava sat up, her heart racing with the weight of her decision. She took a deep breath, summoning the courage to express what had been on her mind for so long. " I... I was waiting for you " she confessed, her voice tinged with a mix of nervousness and longing.

Alex's eyes widened in surprise, a rush of emotions flooding his chest. He took a moment to compose himself before sitting next to her on the couch. " Waiting for me? " he repeated, trying to mask the eagerness in his voice.

Ava nodded, her gaze fixed on her hands in her lap. " I've been thinking a lot, and Maggie made me realize... " she trailed off, gathering her thoughts. " I miss us, Alex. I miss being close to you "

Alex's heart swelled with a mix of emotions, his eyes softening as he looked at her. " I've missed you too, Ava " he admitted quietly, his fingers tracing an invisible pattern on the couch.

There was a tangible tension between them, a fragile moment pregnant with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.