Arrowheart

Chapter Eleven

I'm getting ready for bed when there's a knock at my door.

Elizabeth: "Come in."

I hear the door creaking open as I turn toward it.

Oliver: "Hey, Liz."

Elizabeth: "Ollie, you're back."

He comes in, and we sit on the couch together.

Oliver: "Yeah, I wanted to ask you something."

Elizabeth: "Ask away."

Oliver: "Would you, maybe, uh, like to go to the...[clears his throat] The fundraiser with me?"

I subtly bite my lip.

Elizabeth: "Ollie, are you trying to ask me to go with you as your date?"

He looks so nervous as he replies.

Oliver: "I am. I want you to be my date. Will you please?"

Elizabeth: "I would love to be your date tomorrow."

A big smile breaks out on his face as he holds my hand.

Oliver: "That's fantastic. I can't wait."

Elizabeth: "Neither can I."

Oliver: "I'm gonna, [hesitates while looking at me] I'm gonna go now before I embarrass myself."

I'm a little disappointed when he doesn't kiss me before leaving, but I try not to let it affect me as I go to bed.

The next day, my dad called me and asked me to meet up with him for dinner, but I had to decline, and we rescheduled for next week instead. When I told him about Tommy and Oliver's fundraiser, he asked me to donate in his place since he couldn't free himself for the evening. Stephanie is watching Hannah tonight for me.

As I finish getting ready, I put my favorite necklace on, and Hannah bursts through the door.

Hannah: "Mommy, Daddy is waiting downstairs!"

Elizabeth: "Alright, honey. I need to put my shoes on."

Once I put my shoes on, she drags me out of my room, and I follow her excited figure to the stairs, where I see Oliver talking to Stephanie in the foyer. My heart flutters when he looks up at me, and for a moment, it feels like my world slows down as I descend the stairs until Stephanie breaks me out of it.

Stephanie: "Well, don't you look nice?"

I chuckle at her antics as I reach the bottom of the steps.

Oliver: "You look lovely, Liz."

Elizabeth: "Well, thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."

Hannah: "Mommy, can I go too?"

Elizabeth: "I'm sorry, but no. It's an adult party. You're going to stay here with Stephanie."

She proceeds to whine because she wants to come with us.

Oliver: "Hannah, I promise we will go somewhere with you tomorrow. But for tonight, I'm stealing Mommy for a couple of hours. Is that okay?"

Hannah: "I guess."

She pouts but smiles when he kisses her head. I hug her and kiss her cheek before Oliver escorts me to the car, which John Diggle (his bodyguard) drives for us.

Elizabeth: "Are you as nervous as I am right now?"

I nervously grip the edge of my dress.

Oliver: "Probably more so. It's been a long time since I've been on a date."

He puts a reassuring hand on one of mine. I feel a little relieved as I hold his hand.

Elizabeth: "Same. Some guys have asked me, but I never really had the time in the last five years while you were gone."

Oliver: "I can understand that. You had Hannah to worry about as well as your company."

Elizabeth: "Yeah. But we are in the same boat here."

Oliver: "I'm glad you are my first date since I've returned. I couldn't ask for anyone better."

He gently squeezes my hand while giving me a gentle smile, making me smile shyly as I take a deep breath, and we arrive at his nightclub. Mr. Diggle opens the door for us, and we walk in hand-in-hand. We walk to the bar, grab a couple of glasses of wine, and make our donations for the fundraiser. We talk to others around us for a while and do our best to enjoy each other's company until Oliver notices something else.

Oliver: "Liz, please excuse me for a moment. There's something I need to take care of."

I force a smile on my face as he walks off toward Tommy and Laurel. He takes Laurel off somewhere, and part of me hurts, but I try to push that part down as I walk over to my brother.

Elizabeth: "Hey, Tommy."

Tommy: "Hey, Liz. I saw you come in with Oliver."

Elizabeth: "Yeah, he asked me to come as his date."

Tommy: "Wow, you two are finally on a date."

Elizabeth: "Yup, and yet again, he stole Laurel from you for the moment."

Tommy: "Yup. Is there ever going to be a time when one doesn't steal the other from us?"

Elizabeth: "I hope so. Let's toast to that someday."

Tommy: "Absolutely."

We both grab a drink and clink our glasses together. As we take a sip, fire erupts around the room, scaring us and everyone else. We immediately start guiding everyone out of the building while trying not to freak out as much as everyone around us. I'm worried about Oliver and Laurel because I don't see them anywhere and don't want to leave without them.

Tommy: "Liz, get out of here!"

Elizabeth: "There's no way I'm leaving you in here, Tommy! We have to find Laurel and Ollie!"

Tommy: "I promise I will find them! But you need to go now, for Hannah!"

My heart is torn as I know he is right, but I can't leave without Oliver until I see the look in Tommy's eyes and nod to him.

Elizabeth: "Alright, but you better make it out alive too!"

Tommy: "I swear, now go!"

I leave the building with everyone else. When I get out, I call 911, which is ironic considering there are firefighters here already. Laurel and Tommy join me outside, but Oliver is nowhere in sight, and I struggle not to break down and lose hope. Tommy and Laurel hug me as we are all in the same boat. Diggle comes over to check on us before looking for Oliver.

While the fire department is hosing the club down a while later, I hear Oliver's voice.

Oliver: "Elizabeth!"

I turn around to see him walking toward me from the side of the building. A few tears fall down my cheeks as I run to him. I immediately wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his lips as he wraps his arms around my torso and kisses me back. Finally, we have to separate to breathe.

Elizabeth: "Oliver, you scared me. I feared you were trapped inside, and we would lose you again."

Oliver: "I know. I'm so sorry, Liz. I was worried about you the whole time that fire was going on. You didn't get hurt, did you?"

Elizabeth: "No, I'm okay. This is officially the worst first date of all time, though."

We both chuckle at that.

Oliver: "Yeah, you're right. That means our second date can't be anywhere near as bad as this."

Elizabeth: "Second date?"

Oliver: "Yeah, I want to take you out again. But next time, I promise no burning buildings."

Elizabeth: "I may just have to take you up on that."

We kiss again before joining Tommy and Laurel.