Arrowheart

Chapter Eight

Stephanie and I dropped Hannah off with Moira and met up with Mary and Peyton at a very crowded Table Salt. Typical for a Grand Opening. Now we are sitting at our table laughing together over some stories.

Peyton: "You're kidding. Did she really do that?"

Elizabeth: "Yeah, I'm not kidding. I walked into the bathroom, and my lipstick was all over her face. I asked her if she had been in my purse, and she said 'no mommy'."

We giggle.

Peyton: "Hannah is so adorable. I'm jealous. I want one too."

Stephanie: "So go have one. No one's stopping you."

Peyton: "I need a boyfriend for that first."

Mary: "You could always fly solo like Lizzy."

Stephanie gives Mary a look.

Mary: "Sorry."

Elizabeth: "Guys, it's fine. Do I wish Oliver could've been a part of Hannah's life before? Of course. But I wouldn't change a thing. I love what I have with my daughter. Who knows what will happen in the future?"

Peyton: "Maybe you'll end up with Oliver, maybe you won't. I'm sure you will be great either way."

I try my best to smile, knowing what they mean. Being a single mother while running a company is hard, but it's something I am willing and able to do. It's not like I need Oliver to be there with me.

Stephanie: "Hey, let's change the subject. We should go dancing tonight."

Mary: "We totally should. Let's go now."

Elizabeth: "Why are you two hurrying to leave?"

I see them peeking at something behind me, and Stephanie tries to stop Mary subtly. I turn around to see Oliver being guided to a table with Helena Bertinelli. Almost immediately, I feel a pit in my stomach. I turn back to the girls who are giving me pity looks.

Elizabeth: "Let's just get out of here."

Luckily, I had already paid the bill. I quickly leave with them. As we pass Oliver with Helena, Tommy, and Laurel, I accidentally make eye contact with Oliver, who seems stunned to see me. Once outside, Stephanie puts a hand on my shoulder as I take a couple of deep breaths in the cold crisp air.

Elizabeth: "I'm alright. Really."

Peyton: "Hey, don't let him ruin our night."

Mary: "We are going to a club."

Stephanie: "Come on."

I smile as I look at all three of them.

Elizabeth: "Yeah, let's go have some fun."

We danced and drank all night, and I honestly don't remember how I got home afterward. I wake up to my phone ringing beside me and buzzing on my nightstand. Groaning as I reach for it, I pick it up to see Moira's name on the caller ID.

E: Hello?

M: Good morning, Elizabeth. We were just wondering when you think you'll be coming over.

E: Most likely in an hour or so, but I will let you know when I am on my way.

M: Alright, take your time, and I will see you when you get here.

E: Okay, see you then.

I hang up and take some pain meds for my headache. Walking out of my room, I find Stephanie in my kitchen, cooking something. By the smell, I can tell she is making bacon and coffee, but other than that, I can't tell. I spot Mary on my couch and hear a flush from the bathroom before Peyton comes out.

Elizabeth: "What happened last night?"

Peyton: "I was drunk off my ass, don't ask me."

Mary: "Cute guys. Too many drinks. Couldn't drive."

Stephanie: "I didn't drink as much as you three. I could tell you needed it last night. To put it simply, you had a lot of fun. I made pancakes, bacon, and coffee. Hannah is with Moira."

Elizabeth: "I know. She called me. Thank you for the food."

Mary: "You're the best, Stephanie."

Peyton: "I'm just gonna chill in the bathroom for a bit."

We all nod, knowing how she is after a night of drinking, and try to ignore the sounds from the bathroom. But I couldn't do it. I went in to hold her hair back and help her through it. Once she's done, we eat breakfast, and they go home while I leave to pick up Hannah.

As I reach for the door, it opens to reveal Oliver, who is surprised to see me.

Oliver: "Liz, I was hoping to talk to you about last night."

Elizabeth: "There's nothing to talk about. I don't need to know about your love life, Oliver."

I try to walk past him, but he quickly takes hold of my wrist.

Oliver: "It wasn't what it looked like, Liz."

Elizabeth: "So you weren't on a double date with Helena, Tommy, and Laurel?"

Oliver: "No. I ran into Tommy and Laurel unexpectedly, while Helena and I were trying to get through a business deal. We were not on a date."

Elizabeth: "Ollie, it's none of my business if you were."

Oliver: "It matters to me that you know this. I care about you and Hannah more than anything, and want to spend more time with you. I'm so sorry that I just can't right now. Hopefully, I will have more time soon, now that Tommy is my general manager."

I can tell from his eyes that he means what he's saying. His eyes are determined yet gentle, and he looks nervous while waiting for my response. I give him a soft smile.

Elizabeth: "It's alright. I know you're not used to being around so many people after everything you've been through. I understand you need time to ease your way into it, and I'll never stop caring about you, Ollie. Let me know when you're ready, and we will figure something out."

I kiss his cheek, slip my wrist from his grasp, and go inside.

It's been about a week since my run-in with Oliver, and I received an invitation last night to a dinner party from Moira and Walter. Stephanie agreed to watch Hannah, so my father and I could go together.

Knocking on the door, Thea is the one to let us in.

Thea: "Lizzy, Malcolm, please come in. Mom and Walter are through there."

She points to the living room.

Malcolm: "Thank you, Thea."

He walks past her as I come in and hang back with her.

Elizabeth: "How is it so far?"

Thea: "Oh, you know how these things go. Dinner party with some big muckety-mucks."

Elizabeth: "Right. Can't say I'm looking forward to this."

Once we enter the dining room, Thea leaves, and I am stuck between my father and a man whom I only know through my father and constantly forget his name. Oliver joins us, sitting across from my father while conversing about the vigilante.

Commissioner: "The thing that people forget is that Robin Hood was a criminal."

?: "And stealing from the rich to give to the poor is the job of the Democrats."

The man's comment makes all of us chuckle. God, I don't want to be here. Thea is lucky she managed to escape.

Elizabeth: "I, for one, don't mind the idea of a Robin Hood figure being around. As long as he sticks to those who deserve it."

I notice a look from Oliver and my father, although I have no idea why they are looking at me.

Malcolm: "All joking aside, commissioner, crime is down for the first time in five years."

Commissioner: "That's because of the changes my department has implemented."

Walter: "Or perhaps it's because the vigilante's activities have had a chilling effect on the city's criminals."

Malcolm: "What are your thoughts, Oliver?"

Oliver: "I think the vigilante needs a better codename than 'The Hood' or 'The Hood Guy.'"

Everyone at the table laughs. I can't help but agree with his thought.

Elizabeth: "Those are pretty terrible names."

Malcolm: "I agree. How about Green Arrow?"

Oliver: "Lame."

Elizabeth: "Maybe leave off the Green part, Dad. The Arrow sounds more appropriate."

I take a sip of my wine as Oliver gives me a look, and then Walter's phone starts ringing. He sighs as he sees who is calling him.

Walter: "Forgive me, it's the office. Excuse me."

He leaves as he answers his phone. Not long after, a police officer comes in and whispers something to the commissioner.

Commissioner: "I'm sorry. Something's come up."

He gets up.

Oliver: "Is everything okay?"

Commissioner: "The vigilante has struck again. He just put an arrow in Adam Hunt."

As he leaves, Oliver's phone starts vibrating.

Oliver: "I really do need to take this call. It's my contractor. Excuse me."

Moira: "Of course."

He leaves, and I look around at everyone's reactions.

Elizabeth: "So, who's next?"

Everyone chuckles. It's easy for everyone at this table to understand the importance of having a call to take thanks to all of our jobs, luckily for the three who left.

After dinner, I return home to find Hannah asleep in her room, and Stephanie on the couch watching TV. I pour two glasses of wine before joining her.

Stephanie: "So, how was dinner?"

Elizabeth: "Oh, you know, dinner with rich people. Some have to leave because of business calls. Including Oliver."

Stephanie: "Of course."

She makes a face like 'go figure.'

Elizabeth: "Yeah."

We talk for a while, laughing and drinking wine together.

The next day, I am in my office with a lot of paperwork to catch up on, when Stephanie comes in with a mischievous smile.

Elizabeth: "What are you up to, Steph?"

Stephanie: "You are asking the wrong question. You have a surprise visitor."

She opens the door more, as I give her a curious look, before Oliver appears in the doorway.

Oliver: "Thank you, Stephanie."

Stephanie: "No problem at all. Have fun, you two."

I give her a look as she smirks and shuts the door. Sighing, I put my papers down and look up at Oliver.

Elizabeth: "What are you doing here, Oliver?"

Oliver: "Well, I know we need to talk, and I was pretty sure you would miss lunch. So I came to have lunch with you."

Elizabeth: "That's thoughtful of you, but I'm too busy to go out to lunch."

He pulls a bag from behind him.

Oliver: "And that's why I brought lunch to you. Big Belly Burger."

Elizabeth: "How could I possibly refuse?"

He gives me a cheeky smile as he sits on the couch, and gestures for me to join him. I walk over as he passes me my food.

Oliver: "There is another reason I stopped by today."

Elizabeth: "And what would that be?"

Oliver: "I wanted to invite you to the Queen Christmas Party tomorrow night personally. It's my way of giving back to my family and friends. Will you please join me there?"

Elizabeth: "Of course, I'll join you. It's been quite a while since one of those happened."

Oliver: "Yes, Thea told me. That's why I am throwing it."

Elizabeth: "It will be Hannah's first."

Oliver: "I'm glad I can attend her first Christmas party."

Elizabeth: "Me too."

I kiss his cheek and eat my lunch with him.