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."

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 just 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 enter the restaurant with Helena Bertinelli. Immediately, I start feeling 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."

Before entering, I kiss his cheek and slip my wrist out of his hold.

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: "Liz, 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."

Thea: "Yeah, but at least we are in it together."

Elizabeth: "Of course, so that we can make the usual faces at each other."

We giggle before joining our parents and their friends. Once we finally go into 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 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 was in my office with a lot of paperwork to catch up on when Stephanie came 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. With a sigh, I put my papers down and looked 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 for 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.