The fifth season of Virgin River sees Ava, Lilly’s eldest daughter, coming to Virgin River to take care of her sister. Libby Osler plays the role of Ava.
Ava is Lilly’s daughter and Tara and Chloe’s sister. She lives in Portland, and in the fifth season, she comes back to Virgin River for a while. Ava is not the biggest fan of Virgin River and prefers to live in Portland, where life does not move at a slow pace and she gets to meet different people.
When Ava comes to know that she is sick, Mel lends her support to Ava. The residents of Virgin River have always been supportive, even when Ava came out when she was younger. Mel’s friendship makes Ava realize that Virgin River is quite special.
Making difficult choices
Ava and Mel get along pretty well and go on to become friends. Ava has heard good things about Mel, and she soon understands why everyone likes Mel so much. When Ava’s stomach starts aching, Mel accompanies her to the hospital.
In the past, Ava had laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. Now, she finds out that it has come back, and this time, the doctor asks her to consider getting a hysterectomy. Mel tries to talk to Ava about it, but Ava is reluctant.
Ava’s mother’s whole life revolved around being a mother, and Ava did not see much value in that. However, after returning to Virgin River and being with Chloe, she realizes that she was wrong before. Due to that, Ava wants to have the option of being a mother someday.
The day the wildfire reaches Virgin River, Mel goes to check up on Ava when she is unable to contact her. Mel finds Ava’s house on fire with Chole and an unconscious Ava inside. Mel and Jack risk their own lives and save the two sisters just in time.
It turns out that Ava was in so much pain that she fell and hit her head. Ava passed out and could not leave her house with Chole. Ava and Chloe do not suffer serious injuries and eventually recover, but Ava blames herself for not deciding on a treatment plan sooner and putting her sister’s life in danger.
As Mel and Ava become good friends, Ava confesses to Mel and Brie that she still feels guilty about everything that happened. Ava then performs a ritual to help all of them move on in life, and all three women let go of the things that have been weighing on their minds.
The incident also encourages Ava to consider getting a hysterectomy. Mel comforts her as a friend and tells her that if she wants to be a mother someday, she will find a way. Ava then decides to get a hysterectomy, but not without freezing her eggs first.
Tara moves to San Francisco with Chole, but Ava stays back in Virgin River to sell their family farm to someone who will value it just as much as the rest of the town does. When she tells Mel that the swing survived the fire, Mel and Jack decide to buy the farmland where Ava had her perfect childhood.
