Oliver was pacing outside of the house beyond angry. John was placed to bed by Sara's mother and she was not making dinner for all of them.
''She can't take her from us?!''
Diggle had no idea what to say. He was feeling bad for both sides. For Sara and Oliver because all with Nyssy is a lie and for Nyssa for having to stay away from the child for so long.
''She is hers…Or her.. I think you should let go of your anger over Nyssa and think about her position. Yes, you took care of Nyssy and you were her dad, but it's not like she gave up on her. She took care of her in her own way… She made sure no one kills the child…''
''And no one would have touched her if she was not related to her…''
''Man, if she was not related to Nyssa, you wouldn't have Nyssy…''
Diggs did have a point and Oliver had to give it to him.
''I just don't want her to take her from us…''
Sara was making a tea in the kitchen and thinking about all that happened today. She could have lived without knowing that Nyssy was actually Nyssa and that Nyssa wants her to take over after her… She didn't want to know Nyssa wants to be new leader of the assassins. She didn't want Nyssa to go back and didn't want her child to be part of that. She knew how big impact it had on her. She lost herself in all that mess and she didn't want Nyssy to live that life. She couldn't influence Nyssa, but she could maybe keep her child away from it. She got upstairs to Nyssa's room and sat on the bed beside her.
''I love you… I love you so much, but I can't let you do that to our child. No one can be happy living that life Nyssa. It's not something I would want to my child…''
''Sara…''
''No! I don't want her to be part of that… I carried her Nyssa… I cared for her since she was born and I don't want her to feel what we felt doing all that…''
Nyssa got of the bed and stood by the window…
''It is funny how boy in tights and you washed your hands of all the blood you spilled… Now you are perfect family… You are Stepford wife and you are happy… Did you ever wonder about how I feel about my life and living there?''
''Nyssa…''
''No! Now it's my turn to speak….I listened to you and to him attacking my world now you are going to listen… I grew up there and from the moment I was born, I was preparing for the day I will be on the leading place at the league. I worked twice harder than all to justify my position and I had a lot of friends and enemies. But I made it. I became someone there I earned to be heir to the Demon. I was born into Assassin's royalty, but I earned all I have. I worked my butt off to become who I am now. I spilled blood and my blood was spilled numerous times. My body was covered in scars and bruises, but I never, never gave up… I always got up and finished each of my fights. I never gave up and I never gave anyone a reason to doubt me or call me weak, until you. I gave you all the things no one had before. You became my lover, my beloved, my entire world and I don't regret any of that Sara. You made me complete and after I heard that you had the baby, I was the happiest person alive. I did all I could to protect two of you because I loved that baby and I love you. And now you tell me that it's not her life and it's not a good life… You insult all that I am, all that I believe in and a life we had together… You hurt me Sara… ''
''Nyssa… It is not life for everyone…''
''And I freed you… I have given you your freedom. I gave you life Sara… I saved you twice…or three times... I risked my life for you and I would protect the girl with all I am because that is who I am. I am not some cruel assassin, as tights boy says… I am a woman who takes care of the people she loves.''
''But I will not let you take her Nyssa…''
''What?''
''She is mine… You can go back… I can't stop you… But I will not give my child to you…''
Nyssa's phone rung and she answered… Sara stood by the window waiting for Nyssa to come back. She heard closet door open and Nyssa packing her things…
''What are you doing?''
''I have some things to do Sara. Unlike you, I don't have time to play house…''
She took off her jeans and put on her ''assassin'' clothing.
''You are going on a mission?''
''Yes…''
''Where?''
''Somewhere… I'll see you Sara… when you need something…as usual…''
''Nyssa, don't do that…''
''I must go… My murderous squad is waiting for me…''
Sara took her hand and kissed her…
''Be safe…''
Nyssa took her suitcase and left the room. Nyssy was in the living room getting the puzzle from the shelf.
''Want to do puzzle with me?''
''No, I must go…''
''Where?''
''Somewhere…''
''Promise to come back.''
''I will…''
''When?''
''I don't know… But I will come to see you…''
''You promise?''
She opened her arms and Nyssy nestled in her hug.
''I promise and I never break any of them…''
''I know…''
She saw Oliver and Diggs standing by the stairs Sara was coming down now…. She looked at Nyssy and all of them…
''You haven't seen the last of me… I promise.''
And with that she left… Sara turned around and went back to Nyssa's room. She got on the bed and started crying like child. She was gone again. It took Sara pretty long time to recover again. On top of everything, a bit after Nyssa left, Sara lost the baby. That also broke her heart, but she tried to cover it up in front of the children. They didn't have to know how sad she was. Oliver got for the family a lot of presents, but he wanted to spoil them some more. When he asked John what he wants for Christmas, he said new video game and when he asked Nyssy what she wanted, he got the answer that made him a bit angry and sad.
''Daddy, I want Nyssa to come back…''
Sara lowered her gaze and excused herself from the room. It hurt Oliver how much two of the woman he loved very much missed Nyssa's presence in their lives. Sara didn't talk about her much, but she had her ways of dealing with the absence of the woman she loved. Knowing that the little girl is part of the woman she loved, she became even more attached to her and Oliver was not very happy about it. She didn't pay that much attention to John, but he couldn't accuse her of being a bad mother either. She did things with him and she did things to make him happy… But Nyssy was her favorite. Around Christmas time, entire house was decorated and they were getting ready to celebrate. Lances were coming for dinner and Nyssy was very excited to get her presents in the morning. In the middle of the dinner one of the man came to Diggle and asked him to come out. He went out and few minutes later the dining room door opened and Nyssa came in. She was dressed in black dress and high boots. She looked amazing and Sara couldn't stop starting at the woman. Nyssy jumped off her chair and ran into Nyssa's arms…
''You came!''
''I made a promise to come…''
''I can't believe you are here. This will be the best Christmas ever…''
''I agree…''
She nuzzled into Nyssa's neck and breathed out… Nyssa wiped a tear that escaped her. And smiled at the girl in her arms.
''You must tell me what have you been up to?''
Nyssy nodded. She had a lot of things to tell and she wanted to know what Nyssa did too.
''And you must tell me what did you do?''
''Oh, you have no idea how much fun I had…''
''Really?''
''Yes, but we'll talk later… Finish your meal…''
''I am not hungry…''
''Nyssy, there is plenty of time for us to talk… Please eat…''
''Ok. Come sit with me…''
Nyssa sat beside the girl and a girl brought her plate and silverware. Oliver's mood dropped when Nyssa came. He knew all the girl's attention would be on her now.
''Nice of you to join us Nyssa…''
''Thank you Oliver…''
Sara looked at both of them to tell them to stop. Kids didn't have to know about their issues, especially Nyssy who was over the moon for Nyssa's presence.
''Can I sleep with you again?''
''Sure, I would love to…''
''Yey!''
Nyssa had some food and then they all went to the living room. Quentin said hello and talked to Nyssa about what has been going on in her life. He tried to avoid asking about the killing, but they managed their way around the topic. Sara's mother and Laurel had their reservations about Nyssa coming and going from Nyssy's life, but Sara told them that Nyssa's place is with them and ended the discussion. Around nine kids were sent to bed. Nyssy went to Nyssa's room and couldn't wait for the older brunette to get to bed. Nyssa stayed behind to place presents under the tree. They were carefully marked with names of each member of the family names. Sara found her placing the presents and just stood there watching her.
''You can speak. I know you are there…''
''What brings you here?''
''You know what and who…''
''I missed you…''
''You never called, never wrote…''
''You left…''
Nyssa got off the floor and came to the blond.
''And what was I supposed to do Sara? You openly told me you will not leave your husband; you made me your lover. Then all the things around Nyssy happened and you told me you do not allow Nyssy to come with me. You insulted all I ever known as a home and I had to go because unlike you, I learned my lesson… I had to handle things and try to find different solutions.''
''What did you do?''
Sara was scared Nyssa was plotting to take Nyssy from them. She was thinking about the ways to keep the child with them and trying to figure out what Nyssa had in mind.
''Why do you care? It will not mess up your Stepford wife role…''
''Stop it Nyssa!''
''It hurts when someone makes fun of your life and things that matter to you? Ha, now you know how it feels when you speak about my life Sara…''
''I don't want to fight…''
''Than stay away from me… Now I must go… Nyssy is waiting for me…''
Nyssa was walking towards the stairs when she heard Sara speaking….
''Will you ever stop hurting me?''
''I could ask the same?''
And with that she went upstairs. Sara stayed downstairs and made herself cup of tea. Diggle found her sitting in front of the fire in the living room staring at it in silence.
"Penny for your thoughts…''
''Hey…''
''What is it?''
''She hates me…. And I fear she will take Nyssy from us…''
''Why do you say it?''
''I have weird feeling she is up to something…''
''Ha, that's Nyssa… So, that is not news to you… But I doubt she will take her…''
''She hates me now… Why would she come?''
''To see Nyssy… She is hers after all… She loves that child…''
''I know… And that's what's the worse for me… If she was not so nice to her, so good with her, I wouldn't have any doubt about keeping her away…''
''Sara, that woman is her DNA… She will always find the way to gravitate towards Nyssa…''
''And Nyssy towards her…''
''I am so confused…''
''I know…''
''I just wish things to be normal…''
Diggle started laugfing.
''Sara, what you want is not normal… You want both of them with you and you want her to give it all yo for you…AGAIN…''
''What do you mean again?''
''She risked a lot for you in the past… And you don't offer much in return. In order to be with you, she has to be in your world. She has to live with you and Oliver here, watch you have your ''normal'' life and do what?''
''Are you on her side?''
''No, I am on yours… And I am asking you what are you giving her in return if she leaves her life behind?"
''She gets to be with me and gets to be with Nyssy…''
''With you as someone who is with her and Oliver and with Nyssy that is yours and Oliver's daughter…''
''You are not helping…''
''I didn't mean to… I wanted you to think about it all…''
When Nyssa got into the bedroom, Nyssy was already there. She was in her PJ's waiting for her with few books.
''Wow… You got some new things for us to read…''
''Yes! Mom got them for me when we went to a book store…''
Nyssa changed into hers PJ's and got into bed.
''Let's see what you have…''
''Ok.''
Nyssa started reading a story to Nyssy and the girl fell asleep right away. She put the book away and cuddled into her. She couldn't control the tears that started. She held Nyssy close and kissed her hair.
''I am so sorry baby girl we can't do this every night…I wish I had you with me all the time. I wish I could show you the amazing places at the place I call home. I wish we could swim in the cave together. Show you where I fell in love with your mom and where we spent the happiest years of my life… But you will never see these places… Or at least not for a long time… I wish you had a chance to see who I really am.. But then, I wonder if you would love me who I really am… Your mom stopped…''
Sara came to the room a bit later and just watched them sleep together. Nyssa was clinging to the child like her life depended on it and Nyssy also held on to her. Around two in the morning Sara went to bed. Oliver was waiting for her.
''Are you ok?''
''I am not sure what that is anymore…''
''What is bothering you Sara?''
''Something Nyssa said…''
''Oh, that's a news…''
''Oliver…''
''Ok, what did she say?''
''She told me to stay away from her…''
Oliver tried to hide his happiness. Maybe that was the chance they needed to fix their marriage and really have that baby.
''And how do you feel about it?''
''I am heartbroken… She doesn't want me anymore…''
''I am sorry…''
''No, you are not, but I can't deal with that now…''
''What did I do now?''
''I did, not you… Diggle is right… I am selfish…''
''Sara?''
''Go to bed… I want to sleep too…''
In the morning her mom came to get them all for opening the presents. Kids were the first to open theirs and they made mess out of the papers. But, since today was Christmas morning no one said a word to them. John got bicycle, hat, baseball glow and bat, new clothing, computer and he was very happy. From Nyssa he got a book about famous basketball players' through history of sport. He loved it. It had a lot of nice and interesting pictures. When Nyssy's turn came, there were a lot of dresses Sara's mom hoped she will put on one day and shoes and things like that. When it came to Nyssa she got huge suitcase of presents just for Nyssy… She got her tea set from China that was hand painted, she got her ten different teas in nice tin boxes, she got her children's books in Arabic and she got her clothing kids use at Nanda Parbat. Nyssy loved her presents.
''And I have one more that is very special to me…''
She got it from the bottom of the suitcase and when Nyssy opened it Sara felt like crying. It was Nyssa's book of fairytales she got from her mom when she was five. It was a bit before her mom died.
''This is old?''
''That's mine…''
''Your book?''
''Yes, my mom gave it to me when I was five…''
''And now you are giving it to me?''
''Yes…''
''Nice… You can read it to me from it…''
''Sure…''
Nyssy jumped into her arms and hugged her tight…
''Best presents ever…''
The rest of the family got gifts too. Sara's parents got tea, Laurel got perfume, Diggle got army knife, Oliver got pair of tights and Sara got League's version of divorce papers. Sara got off the sofa and sprirnted upstairs. Oliver gave her very angry look. He got up and went after Sara. He found her crying on the floor of their bedroom.
''What is it? What did she do?''
''She served me with divorce papers…''
''What?''
''That what you heard. Nyssa wants divorce…''
''Oh…''
''As I said…She doesn't want me anymore…''
''Sara…''
Sara got off the floor and wiped her eyes. She got out of the room and went to Nyssa's room. She and Nyssy were reading a book when she got in.
''Baby, go to daddy. I need to talk to Nyssa…''
''But mom…''
''NOW NYSSA!''
Girl got out of the room and two women just stood there looking at each other…
''What is this Nyssa?''
''Your get out of jail card…''
''What?''
''You hate my world, so you are free of the ties to it…''
''As long as I love you, I will never be free..''
''You must try…''
''I will not put up with this crap Nyssa…''
''You will not? And who are you Sara?''
''I am the woman who loves you to death!''
''Nice way of showing it…''
''What do you want me to do Nyssa?!''
''Nothing anymore. Each time I wanted something, I got nothing… So I don't want anything, but time with Nyssy…''
''I am not doing this Nyssa…''
Sara threw the papers in the fire and left the room.