Arrowheart

Chapter Thirteen

We quickly walk into the hospital and find Thea's room after asking at the front desk. When we walk in, we find Thea lying in a hospital bed, and she doesn't look so good with a cut on her forehead.

Moira: "Oh, Thea."

Oliver: "Are you okay?"

Thea: "Yeah. I'm, I'm fine."

Elizabeth: "We were so worried about you."

She seems groggy as she responds to us.

Thea: "I'm just headachy, really. The car... Is, is it..."

Oliver: "The car isn't important right now."

She sighs. I know she's wanted a car for so long, but at least she's safe.

Moira: "Do you remember what happened, sweetheart?"

Thea: "[Scoffs] Just go away."

Moira looks hurt at her words but tries to talk to her.

Moira: "Thea...please."

Thea: "I said I'm fine."

I look confused between the two of them. Why would she act like this when she could have died tonight? Moira leaves the room while Oliver and I stay with her. Eventually, a nurse comes in to tell us visiting hours are over and that they are keeping Thea for the night. We go back to Oliver's house, and I stay with Hannah. I can't imagine how I would feel if Hannah ever acted that way toward me as Thea did with Moira tonight.

Oliver and I brought Hannah to pick up Thea from the hospital the following day. He needed a minute alone with her, so I waited right outside the room with Hannah, but I could still hear their conversation.

Oliver: "She promised me she's not cheating on Walter."

Thea: "Like I would trust anything that woman says."

They walk out of the room, and Hannah quickly hugs Thea.

Hannah: "Aunty Thea!"

Thea: "Hey, Hannah."

She hugs her while Oliver and I share a look. It's broken when I see an officer round the corner behind him, and he calls out to Thea.

Officer: "Ms. Queen![She puts Hannah down, and we all turn to see him while Hannah grabs my hand] Thea Queen?"

Oliver: "Is there a problem?"

Officer: "We received a call from your doctor. In the event of a vehicular accident, they're required to report the result of the driver's tox screen. Ms. Queen tested positive for a narcotic called Vertigo."

She groans as she looks down, and Oliver and I give her shocked looks while Hannah is confused.

Oliver: "The drug they're using in the Glades?"

Elizabeth: "Why would you do that?"

Hannah: "Mommy, what's Vertigo?"

Elizabeth: "Something you should never use."

Officer: "Thea Queen, [another officer cuffs her] you're under arrest for driving under the influence of narcotics."

Oliver and I give each other worried looks as we watch them take Thea away.

Hannah: "Where are they taking Aunty Thea?"

Oliver: "Don't worry, Hannah. We're going to get her back. She's safe with them for now."

Elizabeth: "We have to inform your mom, Oliver."

While watching them take Thea away, he seems lost, and we return to his house. Moira manages to get a lawyer to get Thea out of jail for the night, but she must stand trial tomorrow.

I am helping Hannah get ready after I finish getting myself ready when I hear a knock at the door.

Oliver: "Am I interrupting anything?"

Hannah: "Daddy!"

She runs to him, and he picks her up. When I see his face, I can tell he's trying to cover up his worry for Hannah's sake.

Elizabeth: "Hannah, why don't you go see LiLi for a moment?"

Hannah: "Okay."

Before I know it, she is zipping out the door in a flash. I walk over to Oliver as he is still trying to remain calm.

Elizabeth: "You don't have to pretend you're okay, Ollie. I know this is scary. I'm worried about Thea too."

He nods while he's trying to remain composed.

Oliver: "I just wish she hadn't taken Vertigo, of all things. Why would she even do that to herself?"

His eyes start tearing up, and I pull him into a hug.

Elizabeth: "It will be alright, Ollie. You're going to be there for Thea to help her through this. She needs your support right now. Hopefully, when she is ready, she will talk to you about this."

He nods, pulling himself together, and returns my hug.

Oliver: "You're right. We should get going. I'll go get Thea and meet the two of you in the car."

Elizabeth: "Okay."

I give him a reassuring hug before we separate. On my way to the car, my phone starts ringing in my purse, and the caller ID says it's my dad. I immediately decline it and help Hannah get into the car.

Upon our arrival, we are bombarded by reporters. Every single one of them is trying to get a comment from any of us. Oliver is holding Thea's hand while I am carrying Hannah, who is very confused as we enter the courthouse.

Hannah sits between Moira and Oliver since she wants to help them. I sit beside Oliver and hold his hand to give him some comfort, and he gives me a small grateful smile as the hearing starts.

Officer: "Docket ending 1-10-5-6, People vs Thea Dearden Queen. Possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of a controlled substance."

Judge: "Counselors, I understand you've reached a plea agreement."

Counselor: "We have, your Honor. Given that my client is a juvenile, the people have generously agreed to probation."

Judge: "Juvenile? Says right here she's 18."

Counselor: "She is 18 now, your Honor. But at the time of arrest, she was still two days shy of her 18th birthday. Ms. Queen has no priors."

Judge: "Well, just because Ms. Queen's family sweeps her priors under the rug, doesn't mean they don't exist. You get your client off, and you help your boss avoid dealing with the drug sweeping across our city like a plague. Everyone wins, except us, the people of Starling City."

Counselor: "Your Honor, with all due respect--"

Judge: "Ms. Queen, like it or not, you are now the poster child for this menace. Maybe if people see that the Queen family can't get away with using Vertigo, they'll think twice before using it themselves. The plea arrangement is denied. This case will proceed to trial."

Thea looks back at us with horror written across her face while Oliver squeezes my hand a little.

After the trial, I could tell Thea and Oliver needed time to figure things out, so I took Hannah home for a movie marathon. Stephanie ended up coming over too. Hannah is in the living room while Stephanie and I are in the kitchen.

Stephanie: "So, what happened? How is Thea holding up?"

Elizabeth: "Honestly, I have no idea. I hope she can get through this."

Stephanie: "I'm sure she'll be fine. Especially with Oliver watching over her."

Elizabeth: "I hope so too. I don't know how I would ever be able to explain where Thea went if Hannah were to ask."

Stephanie: "Yeah, that sounds like a difficult topic. How is Oliver handling it?"

Elizabeth: "Well, you know, Ollie. He's always been protective of his sister. He seems so scared for Thea. He's out there trying to do whatever he can for her."

Stephanie: "He's a great big brother."

Elizabeth: "Yeah, he always has been. It makes me wonder what our son would've been like."

I see Hannah singing and dancing to Once Upon a December from Anastasia.

Stephanie: "Have you told Oliver about Liam?"

Elizabeth: "No. I have no idea how to bring up something like that. What am I supposed to say? 'Hey Ollie, I actually had twins, not just Hannah, and the other one died.' You can't just drop a bomb like that."

Stephanie: "Yeah, I have no clue how to approach that subject, but it is something he has the right to know about."

Elizabeth: "Besides, with everything going on right now, it isn't the best time to tell him about Liam. He has enough on his plate."

We both finish our wine, and as I set my glass down, I hear my daughter's voice.

Hannah: "Mommy, who is Liam?"

I almost choke on my wine before I reply.

Elizabeth: "Someone who is a sensitive topic. I'll tell you when you're older."

Hannah: "Why not now? How come you won't tell Daddy?"

I bend down to her height as I lay a hand on her shoulder.

Elizabeth: "Hannah, with everything going on right now, Daddy doesn't need more news that would make him sad. You don't want Daddy to be sad, do you?"

She quickly shakes her head no.

Elizabeth: "To do that, we can't say a word about Liam around him. Okay, honey?"

Hannah: "I promise, Mommy."

I hug her.

Elizabeth: "I promise I will tell you one day. Just wait a while, okay?"

Hannah: "Okay."

I kiss her cheek, and she goes back into the living room. I let out a big sigh and turned to see Stephanie looking at me with pity.

Stephanie: When do you plan to tell her?"

Elizabeth: "Maybe in 10 years. For now, do you have any good news for me?"

Stephanie: "Not sure. Does your dad calling me count?"

I groan as I pour another glass of wine.

Elizabeth: "No. If he calls again, I'm unavailable no matter what happens."

Stephanie: "And why is that? Didn't you have dinner with him and Tommy?"

Elizabeth: "Yes, but it was a ruse, so he could get our signature to close down our mother's free clinic."

Stephanie: "Oh no. Definitely unavailable for a while. I can't believe he tried that."

Elizabeth: "Right."

We take a sip of wine, and then there's a knock at the door. Stephanie looks at me, confused.

Stephanie: "Were you expecting someone?"

Elizabeth: "It might be Tommy. He was thinking about possibly coming over."

I walk over to the door and look through the peephole to see my brother. I open it letting him in.

Elizabeth: "Hey, where's Laurel?"

Tommy: "Oh, you know, just doing a favor for Oliver."

Elizabeth: "What would she be doing for him?"

Tommy: "It's Thea related. Probably seeing if her dad can pull a few strings."

Elizabeth: "Makes sense. Hannah is watching Anastasia, and Stephanie is drinking wine with me in the kitchen."

Tommy: "Awesome, mind if I join you?"

Elizabeth: "Not a problem. We both need it."

We both walk into the kitchen, where I grab a glass for him.

Tommy: "Our dear father won't stop calling me. He even started calling Laurel."

Elizabeth: "Same here. He even called Stephanie."

Tommy: "He is ridiculous. I can't believe I thought he would change."

Elizabeth: "Yup. I guess he will never change."

We join Hannah in the living room and watch a few movies until Laurel arrives, and we have dinner together.