Arrowheart

Chapter Twelve

It's been a week since my disastrous date with Oliver. Moira took Walter's position at Queen Consolidated the next day, while Oliver and I spent the day with Hannah.

As I pull up to the Queen estate with Hannah in my car, my phone starts ringing. I quickly answer it to hear my father's voice.

M - Elizabeth, I thought you, Tommy, and I could have dinner tomorrow night.

E - Have you asked Tommy? After the last time the two of you were in the same room, I don't know if he'll even agree to this.

M - I will be calling him later today.

E - Then I will accept your invitation if Tommy does. Just let me know when and where.

M - Of course. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night.

I hang up as I park beside Tommy's car.

Hannah: "Mommy, Uncle Tommy's here! Hurry up!"

Elizabeth: "Okay, sweetie. I'm coming."

She jumps out of the car and races inside as I get out and walk behind her.

Moira: "Thea, the party planner's waiting."

Hannah: "LiLi!"

Moira: "Hi Hannah."

Hannah quickly glomps Moira as everyone looks over to us.

Elizabeth: "Hey, everyone. Sorry, we're running a little late."

Tommy: "Hey, sis."

Thea: "Finally. Hey, Hannah banana."

I hug Tommy, and Hannah hugs Thea before Tommy.

Oliver: "Hey, Liz. What are you two doing here?"

Elizabeth: "We're going shopping with Thea and Moira."

Oliver: "Well, have fun."

Hannah: "Daddy!"

She runs over and gives him a hug, which he quickly reciprocates.

Oliver: "Hey, sweetie. I missed you."

Hannah: "Are you coming with us, Daddy?"

Oliver: "I wish I could, but I have to go to work with Uncle Tommy."

She pouts.

Hannah: "Okay."

Moira: "Sorry we have to run off like this."

Thea: "But we have a convertible to go buy?"

Moira gives her a look as she guides Thea toward the door, and Hannah quickly runs after them. I kiss Oliver on the cheek before joining them.

Unfortunately, halfway through the shopping trip, I had to go to the office for a work emergency, but Moira offered to watch Hannah for the day. Once I finish sorting out the mess someone made with all the paperwork for the next line, I get in my car and receive a text from my dad on my way home. Tommy agreed to join us for dinner, and Laurel is coming too.

The next evening, I joined my father at a Japanese restaurant for dinner with Tommy and Laurel, while luckily, Hannah stayed with Moira and Thea last night.

Malcolm: "At Christmas one year, Tommy wanted a puppy. He wanted to name it Arthur. As in King Arthur because he's a Merlyn."

Laurel and I chuckle.

Elizabeth: "I forgot about that. I wanted a golden retriever, and Tommy wanted a yellow lab."

Laurel: "Well, you used to be so incredibly adorable."

Tommy: "I still am."

Malcolm: "My wife would've liked you, Laurel."

Laurel: "Well, I wish I could have known her. She passed away before Tommy, and I became friends."

Malcolm: "She was killed, Laurel. There's no need to be polite about it."

I give my dad my 'Are you serious right now' look.

Tommy: "You're just a ray of sunshine today, aren't you, Dad?"

Malcolm: "Please forgive me. Talking about my wife has a tendency to make me a little bit maudlin."

Elizabeth: "Yes. When Tommy and I were little, we used to sneak downstairs and steal soda from behind the bar."

Tommy, Laurel, and I chuckle.

Malcolm: "When did the two of you do that?"

Tommy: "Every Saturday morning. It was our ritual to start the weekend for a few years."

We tell a few more stories before our dad asks for the check.

Laurel: "This has been lovely, Mr. Merlyn. Thank you."

Malcolm: "Thank you for joining me. It's been wonderful getting to know you better. And if Tommy and Lizzie don't mind me mixing a little business with pleasure, I could use your signatures on these."

He hands Tommy and me a packet of papers, which we immediately read. Once I read it, I am completely speechless, and Tommy is the first to react.

Tommy: "You want to shut down Mom's free clinic?"

Malcolm: "It's not hers anymore."

Tommy: "That clinic meant everything to Mom."

Malcolm: "You were eight years old. I don't think you were in a position to know what was important to your mother. I need your signature-"

He tries to hand us a pen, but Tommy cuts him off.

Tommy: "Stop. This dinner...was never about getting to know Laurel or catching up with Liz and me. It was about this."

Elizabeth: "I can't believe you, Dad. How could you possibly think we would be okay with this? There's no way you will ever get me to sign this."

Tommy and I get up at the same time and leave before anything else happens, unable to stomach the sight of our father right now. Once outside, I take a few deep breaths, struggling not to cry as I approach my car. I drive to Oliver's house and remember that Thea's birthday party started half an hour ago. Upon arrival, I check my reflection in the mirror and fix myself, so it won't look like I'm upset before going inside.

Walking in, it almost seems like a rave, with all the glow sticks, dark lighting, music, and dancing teens. Thea runs over to me and shows me a set of car keys.

Thea: "Check it out, convertible!"

Elizabeth: "Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Speedy."

Thea: "Thank you for your latest clothing line too."

She hugs me and excitedly runs off to dance with her friends.

Elizabeth: "You're welcome."

I go upstairs and find Moira on the balcony overlooking the party.

Elizabeth: "Hey, where's Hannah?"

Moira: "Asleep in her room. Thank god it's far enough that the music won't wake her."

Elizabeth: "Yeah. I'm gonna go check on her."

She nods, and I go to Hannah's room, finding her sleeping peacefully. I kiss her forehead before shutting the door to her room. On my way back to the party, I run into Oliver.

Oliver: "Liz, when did you get here?"

Elizabeth: "Not too long ago. I was checking on Hannah."

Oliver: "Good. [He gives me a critical look over] Have you been crying?"

Elizabeth: "I-It's nothing, Ollie. I'm fine, really. Let's go enjoy Thea's party."

I try to walk by him, but I spot my father, and I can't help the tears that are trying to spring up when Oliver turns me around and holds me comfortingly.

Oliver: "Hey, it's okay. Let's get you someplace private."

I nod as he then guides me to his bedroom. We sit on his bed together, and I try to calm myself while laying my head on his shoulder, and he is soothingly rubbing my arm.

Oliver: "Do you want to tell me what happened? I know it's not nothing."

I sniffle a bit before telling him what happened at dinner.

Elizabeth: "I just can't believe he would even think about doing that and try to get Tommy and I to agree."

Oliver: "Everything's going to be okay, Liz. I know how hard this is for you. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Elizabeth: "Thanks, Ollie."

He kisses my head. Shortly after, Moira comes barging into the room.

Moira: "Oliver, Elizabeth! Thea's been in an accident!"

Oliver: "What? Is she okay? Where is she?"

Moira: "She's at Starling General, let's go."

We quickly get up, and Oliver has Rosa watch over Hannah before meeting us in the car and going to the hospital.