Waking up in Vegas Chapter (13/15)

Banner By: Andrea

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Chapter 13



Cynthia sat in her car in front of Queen Manor. She glanced in the mirror fixing her hair slightly before lifting up the pie on her passenger side seat and moving out of the car. She had gotten the recipe from Maggie years ago when she and Oliver were dating. It was his favorite.

She had been planning to stop by his office, but he'd cut out early saying something to his secretary about needing to do be somewhere with that teenage runaway who lived with him.

Just thinking about the kind of life that girl must have had made Cynthia scrunch her nose. Good thing she wasn't always around. It had been a little over a week since the fundraiser and she hadn't heard a peep from Chloe since that night.

Then again it wasn't like she could do much about it, there was no proof linking Cynthia to anything, but her father was getting severally impatient and had made it clear if she didn't get the job done soon he was going to convince the board to oust Oliver as CEO and put someone else in his place.

Cynthia knew how much the company meant to Oliver and that's the last thing she wanted to happen. She put a cheery smile on her face, rang the doorbell, and waited for someone to answer it.

Oliver chuckled and shook his head at something Mia said as he walked to the front door. He opened it, shock coloring his face as his eyes settled on Cynthia Wilson, "Cynthia, hey... What are you doing here?" Though Chloe was at watchtower, he knew if she found out the red head was in their home, she'd no doubt make him sleep in one of the guest rooms again.

She held up the pie in her hands. "I was wondering if Chloe was home. I tried her on her cell and when I didn't get through I figured she was home."

She chuckled lightly, "It's the only time she doesn't have the phone glued to her side. I made her a pie, just another attempt at an apology with everything that happened at the fundraiser last week."

She shrugged her smile dying down a little as she lowered her voice, a sincere look in her eyes. "I really want to make sure things with us are okay. Ever since I moved back to town I haven't had many girls to hang out with and Chloe...well she isn't like everyone else in this town you know? She's real and I've enjoyed getting to know her these last few weeks."

Cynthia shrugged letting her shoulders slump slightly. "Sorry...I didn't mean to just drop by...you know what I should just go...sorry to bug you guys at home." The tone of her voice held a hint of disappointment as she turned to go practically counting down in her head waiting for Oliver to stop her.

Oliver watched her head back for her car and he bit his lip. Cynthia certainly sounded sincere, and he'd hate to let her think Chloe was mad at her, even if that was the case, because he had no doubt should Cynthia mention it to her father, Jack would be breathing down his neck again, and that was the last thing he and Chloe needed.

"Cynthia, wait." When she turned around Oliver gave her a small smile, "Chloe's actually not home right now, but you're welcome to come in and join me and Mia. Chloe should be home soon."

Cynthia gave him an unsure look, hesitating briefly before she spoke. "Are you sure? Because I don't want to impose."

Oliver gave her a goofy grin, "Really, we were just sitting down to dinner, and we've got more than enough." He waved her into the house, shutting the door behind them and leading her to the dining room.

Mia heard the door close and she called out to him. "It's about time can we finally eat now cause I'm pretty sure that burning sensation is my stomach eating itself. Oh and I was talking to Chloe earlier and she said since school starts up in a couple of weeks we can do the whole back to school shopping trip this weekend if that’s okay with you."

Mia was in the middle of putting some salad on her and Oliver's plates when she paused as he walked into the room Cynthia standing next to him. Her body tensed as she glanced between the red head and Oliver.

Her voice losing its earlier excitement. "Oh...I didn't realize we had...company."

Cynthia smiled at Mia, "Hi...Mia right? How are you?"

She sat back in her chair, "Just peachy." Cynthia nodded and placed the pie on the table. "I uh, made Chloe a pie."

Mia glanced at it and raised an eyebrow, "Hmm I didn't realize you knew how to cook." She poked a fork into her salad bringing it to her lips before giving the older women a fake smile as she sat down in Chloe's seat, which only served to irritate Mia further.

Oliver glanced down at the pie, "No way, is that Maggie's Cream Cheese Brownie pie? You remembered it's my favorite." His smile grew before he reached across the table to finish putting small helpings of the meal he and Mia had cooked on his plate. "Chloe's never had Maggie's pies before...Her favorite is Coconut Crème' Pie, but I'm sure she'll love it."

Cynthia gave him a sheepish smile, "It sure is and really how could I forget? Don't laugh, but it's still the only pie I know how to make otherwise I would have tried something else, " she chuckled lightly.

She glanced around the table, "Wow this looks delicious did you guys make it?"

Oliver opened his mouth to answer her, but Mia beat him to it. "Well Chloe's always making all these awesome dinners so since she had to work late we thought we'd make dinner for her for a change..."

Cynthia nodded, "Well that's really considerate of you Mia...I'm sure she appreciates it. It seems like it would be a big help to her, I mean after all she's so busy always running from here to there. It's a wonder she has time to make dinner at all."

Mia pulled a piece of chicken into her mouth her eyes meeting the red heads. "Well Chloe always makes sure to make time for her family...so it's not really that surprising."

Cynthia pursed her lips together and nodded her smile falling slightly as she took some salad. Oliver coughed, sending Mia a warning look before he glanced in Cynthia's direction, "Cynthia, can I offer you anything to drink?"

Mia rolled her eyes, “Why don’t I get those.” She pushed her chair back and walked past the island pulling open the fridge and grabbing the ice tea. She shut the door, took a deep breath and made her way back over to the table.

She stood over her plate and poured some into her cup before moving towards Oliver’s cup and then arched a brow at Cynthia, “Want some?” Cynthia smiled, “Sure, thank you Mia.”

The brunette walked around the table reached her arm out and right as she was pouring the drink into the glass, she took a step forward her shoe knocking into the table leg and shifting her arm, sending the ice tea splashing across Cynthia instead of in her cup.

Cynthia let out a small yelp as the cold liquid hit her lap. Mia’s eyes widened, “Oh my god I’m so sorry. My foot…I tripped.”

Mia bit the side of her cheek, “I’ll go get you some napkins.” She turned moving towards the paper towels a grin on her lips as Cynthia attempted to keep her pleasant demeanor. The minute Oliver left Chloe…the first thing she was going to do was send that disgusting piece of trash away and never let her back into Oliver’s house again.

Mia brought some napkins back and she could feel Oliver’s eyes following her movements, but she ignored him. “Sorry again…you know about the ice tea.”

Cynthia wiped at her skirt as she nodded, “It’s not your fault.” She glanced up at Mia, “It was an accident, no big deal, but I should probably go home and change before this sets into the material.”

She stood slowly, taking her purse from the side of the chair. She glanced at Oliver, “Just tell Chloe I stopped by and to give me a call when she’s free. Enjoy the pie…” Oliver went to stand up and she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Its fine, I can see myself out. You eat dinner. I’ll see you later Oliver, goodnight Mia.”

Cynthia headed for the door, glare on her face when she heard footsteps behind her. The glare immediately disappeared as a hand shot out opening the door for her. “Sorry about that…have a good night, I’ll tell Chloe to give you a call.”

She smiled and squeezed his arm lightly. “Thanks Oliver, have a goodnight.” He nodded and watched as she made her way to her car. She waved as she drove down the driveway and he waved back before closing the door and making his way back into the kitchen.

Mia didn’t sit back at the table until she heard the door close. She lifted her glass took a sip of ice tea and went back to eating like nothing had happened. Oliver walked back into the dining room, leaning in the entree way while he crossed his arms, "You want to tell me what the hell that was about?"

She glanced at him, eyebrow arched as she shoved a piece of chicken into her mouth, confusion on her face. “What, was what about?”

"Don't play innocent, Mia." He stared at her sternly, "What you did was pretty rude and uncalled for."

She put down her fork and sighed, voice slightly annoyed. "You know Oliver, for such a smart guy, you're really being kind of stupid. And please that woman isn't fooling anyone...but you apparently. Besides Chloe doesn't like her."

She shrugged and averted her eyes from him. "And I trust Chloe's instincts."

Oliver's jaw tensed, "You know, Chloe may in fact be right about Cynthia, who knows..." He shook his head, biting the inside of his cheek, "But Chloe doesn't need you to fight her battles for her."

She shook her head and moved from the table so she was standing in front of him arms crossed over her chest, voice quiet but tense.

"Well forgive me for actually caring about this family. I didn't know that was a crime. I'm not trying to fight anyone's battles Oliver...and I get that this girl is your friend or whatever, but how do you think Chloe would feel having her sitting here in her seat for dinner while she's out working?"

Her hands fell to her sides, "Don't you understand? You and I might not be related...but the three of us are a family...would you like to know the last time I had that?" She swallowed hard, "Never...unless you want to count the alcoholic Mom who used me as a punching bag or the foster Dad who lovingly pimped me out to his friends..."

Mia knew Oliver had all the information on her past though they never actually talked about it. They didn't need to, but when he'd taken her in he made it a point to make sure she knew he wasn't like any of the people that had been in her life before.

She took a deep breath before continuing in a softer voice, "So forgive me for wanting to protect the one good thing I've had in my life." She turned away from him so he wouldn't see the tears that had built in her eyes before moving back to sit down, her tensed back facing him.

Oliver stared at Mia's back in disbelief, "I invited an old-friend, one of my co-workers daughters, to sit down for dinner... She sat in Chloe's spot because the only other spot next to me was your seat."

He walked past her, heading into the hallway, "It's not like I invited her into my bed." He turned around before heading down the hall, "I'd do anything for this family. But whatever, you and Chloe go ahead and do it your way. Tell her I already know--and I'm already moving my stuff back into the guest room."

Mia bit her bottom lip as she heard him head up stairs before a door slammed. She winced and sighed before starting to clean up the dining room. She had already pissed off Oliver and she didn’t want to make Chloe mad too.



______

Chloe made her way up the stairs, bypassing their bedroom and making her way down the hallway towards the guest bedroom. She had come home an hour and a half later than she’d originally planned and after finding a plate for her in the oven she’d gone in search of Oliver and Mia.

She found the younger brunette on the couch reading a book, which had surprised her. Mia explained about dinner and how she had upset Oliver and promised Chloe she’d apologize in the morning for upsetting him.

She understood why Mia had done what she’d done and while she was upset that Cynthia was in their house she knew she hadn’t been able to prove anything to Oliver yet and it was unfair of her to tell him to stay away from Cynthia even if she was a manipulative shrew.

She came to the door, knocked briefly and pushed it open, only to find Oliver lying on his back hands behind his head. She leaned against the doorframe, voice light. “Excuse me, I was wondering if you’ve seen my husband…I can’t seem to find him…any chance you might know where he is?”

Oliver grunted, "I imagine he's trying to stay out of trouble."

Chloe nodded, "Hmm he does seem to attract trouble doesn't he? Then again he married me so trouble might just come with the package..." Chloe paused shifting slightly, "Ollie…why are you in the guest room?"

Oliver lifted his gaze to hers, "You know why..." He sighed and sat up, dropping his head into his hands, "Chloe, I'm tired of fighting... We never used to do this."

She tilted her head to the side, eyeing him and noticing the tired look on his face. "Oliver I'm not fighting with you...you threw yourself in the guest room..."

A hollow laugh left him, "Yeah, just so I didn't have to hear you say it again."

Chloe pushed herself away from the door frame and hesitantly sat on the bed next to him, nudging his leg with hers. "That was one night Ollie...One night. I was upset and frustrated that you didn't take my words for face value...I'm not going to keep apologizing. And for the record...I don't want you to sleep in the guest room...you know just in case you were wondering."

He looked up at her again, trying to keep his muscles relaxed, "You're not going to argue with me about anything that happened tonight?"

Chloe shook her head as she placed a hand on his leg. “No, I’m not going to fight with you about what happened tonight. I know you think I’m over reacting…no, no don’t say anything. I know you think I’m overly stressed and there’s been a lot going on lately and your right there has been.”

She met his eyes, voice calm, “But I stick by my assessment of her…she’s bad news. What you do with the information I’m giving you is up to you, but I’m not going to be wasting anymore of my breath fighting with you because of Cynthia. I won’t give her the satisfaction.”

She gave him a warm smile and cupped his cheek. “So how about for this one subject we just call a truce and agree to disagree? Because I’m tired of fighting with you too.”

He nodded, "Ditto. In fact I'm tired of fighting with everyone but the bad guys." His phone went off on the nightstand, Victor's ringtone echoing loudly and he gave her a small smile, "Hate to be the bad guys that aggravate the Green Arrow this week."

Chloe smirked, “Sounds sexy maybe when he’s done fighting crime he can come pay me a little visit…” She waggled her eyebrows and stood.

“Listen I was thinking we’ve been here for a while now...how would you feel about having a little dinner party on Friday? We could invite the guys…you can even invite Cynthia and I promise to behave.” His phone rang again and she motioned for him to answer it.

Oliver raised an eyebrow at her suspiciously, he may not know what she was up to, but he knew his wife, and he knew she was up to something. "It's okay...If the guys are coming I'd rather not invite her, she'd instantly get quizzical about my connections to them."

Chloe shrugged and placed a kiss on his lips. “Totally your call. Now I’m gonna go check in on Mia real quick while you hopefully move your stuff back into our room because I’ve had a long day and I was sorta hoping to get lucky tonight and that’s kind of hard to do when my husband is like three rooms away..”

She gave him a cheeky grin before moving and pausing in the door way to glance at him her gaze softening, “Oh and when Mia apologizes tomorrow go easy on her okay. She feels bad for fighting with you and she thinks you’re angry with her…I had to pry tonight’s events out of her because she didn’t want me to be mad at you.”

Chloe scrunched her nose, “She kinda loves us, but don’t tell her I said that…cause she’ll totally play it off like she could care less.” Chloe chuckled.

Oliver nodded with the corner of his mouth lifting into a half smile, "Got it." He stood up, leaning down and kissing her forehead, "Green Arrow will see you when he gets home."

Chloe groaned and then pouted, “You’re going on patrol now? I thought Bart and Dinah were on patrol tonight. Ugh I hate when you people switch my carefully planned out schedule. Don’t you notice how I’m home early on night’s you patrol so I can get some quality time with you before you go out? Then on night’s you aren’t scheduled I come home a little later?”

She shook her head affectionately, smile on her face. “You all fail…now get out of here so you can be home already.”

He tried to suppress a grin as he stepped away from her, towards the door, "Vic will be watching from Watchtower." Turning back around he reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Have a good night." He bent forward, dropping his lips over hers, "I love you."

She grinned, “Mm I love you too.” She watched him go and when he was out of sight she made her way down the hall towards Mia’s room knocking lightly. She shouted that it was open and Chloe walked in as Mia sat up on her bed putting her book down.

“What’s up?”

Chloe pursed her lips and hesitated before speaking, “I need your help.” Mia perked up moving to the edge of the bed and sitting Indian style. “With what?”

Chloe arched an eyebrow at the teenager giving her a look and Mia grinned. “Is that you giving me a green light on the Cynthia thing?”

Chloe shook her head, “No…that’s me saying things need to be handled very carefully. I don’t want to upset Oliver, but he needs to know what’s going on…especially with the new information I dug up today while I was at Watchtower…it’s why I was late coming home.”

Mia nodded, “So…what do you need my help with?” Chloe smiled, “Well I’ve got a plan of course and it requires two people…be my wingman?”

Mia nodded, “Of course, so…tell me about this plan…”



______

Chloe was in the middle of pulling open the oven when the phone rang. She swore and called out, “Mia, can you get the phone?”

“On it!”

She moved out of the dining room and grabbed the cordless phone from the hallway, “’ello?”

“Hey Mia, it’s Dinah…I’ve got some bad news…A.C and I aren’t gonna be able to make it tonight.”

Mia frowned, “Dinner’s in like an hour…”

“I know…JL business can you tell Chloe we’re sorry?”

Mia nodded into the phone even though Dinah couldn’t see her, “Sure I’ll let her know. Are you still coming shopping with us this weekend?”

“Sure am…I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

The front door opened and Mia glanced up to see Oliver walking into the house. She waved, while holding the phone between her head and shoulder. “Sounds good, talk to you later Dinah.” She clicked off the phone and smiled at Oliver. It had been four days since there argument about Cynthia and things were better all around now.

Chloe and Oliver hadn’t fought in days, and it seemed like ever since Chloe found out about Cynthia she’d been a lot more confidant in her relationship with Oliver, which seemed to have a calming effect on him, in tune making Mia more at ease.

“You’re home early, Chloe and I thought you wouldn’t be back until dinner.” She motioned towards the kitchen as she headed back there to finish helping Chloe with dinner.

Oliver grinned as he walked past Mia and over to Chloe, wrapping his arms around her waist, "What can I say?--I missed my wife..."

He dropped a kiss to her neck before pulling back, "So...I know I said I didn't want to invite Cynthia, but she overheard me on the phone with you, and I explained we were having friends over..." He bit his lips nervously, "She kind of invited herself and I didn't want to be rude after her last visit so...I hope that’s okay?"

Chloe felt sort of bad seeing the look on Oliver’s face as he explained how Cynthia had overheard him. It was possible she’d called him when she knew Cynthia would be around hoping that she’d overhear and do just that.

She turned wrapping her arms around him and pulling him down for a real kiss. She moaned against his lips and let out a content sigh as she pulled away. “It’s fine. I already told you if you wanted to invite her I’d play nice. Mia hun, can you add a plate to the table?”

She plopped down at the island and scrunched her nose as she popped a crouton into her mouth. “No need, that was Dinah on the phone. She and A.C. can’t make it something came up, but I will go put a plate back.”

She gave them a grin before taking another crouton and making her way into the dining room. Chloe looked back at Oliver, tilting her head to the side as she played with his tie. “And how was my favorite husband’s day today?”

"Only husband," he corrected her with a small pouting frown before circling his arms around her again. "My day was tiring, and I have to make an important call to my VP in China between dinner and dessert..." He rested his forehead on hers. "But now that I'm home with you?--Things are definitely looking up..."

She smiled, quirking her brow, “Good to know…dinner is mostly ready and I’m sure Bart and Victor will be here soon. What time is Cynthia coming? And why don’t you go change then come back down and keep me company? I missed you today. I was in this big house all by my lonesome.” She pouted and placed a kiss on his jaw.

Oliver chuckled, "Well now you know how I feel when you're at Watchtower and I'm here..." He kissed her cheek before stepping away from her, "I'll go change and be right back down."

She gave him an affectionate smile as he headed up the stairs. She glanced towards the dining room to see Mia leaning against the door frame. Chloe arched an eyebrow. “Is everything all set up?”

Mia nodded, “Yup, got rid of the extra plates and everything…need me to do anything else?” Chloe eyed the teenager carefully and shook her head. “No…everything else is ready. Why don’t you just get ready for dinner?”

She hesitated briefly before nodding and making her way upstairs. Chloe bit her lower lip as she turned back towards the kitchen. She let out a sigh as she brought the honey roasted ham to the table. She really hoped this worked.



______


Two and a half hours later dinner was just finishing up, Chloe was sitting next to Oliver listening to Bart finish up his latest tale of his most recent 'business' trip as he shoved the last piece of ham from his plate into his mouth.

He let out a loud groan, "Chloelicious I might just have to kidnap you and have you cook for me forever. Who knew under that smokin' hot body there was a domestic goddess?"

Chloe, Victor and Mia chuckled as Oliver rolled his eyes and glared at the younger man, a warning in his tone. "Cut it out Bart..." Chloe placed her hand over Oliver's.

"He just playing aren't you Bart?"

He nodded. "Sure am mamacita...besides now that your married, which by the way knife in the heart...I’ve got my eyes set on a short brunette."

He winked at Mia who choked on her water before sending a glare Bart’s way. "I'm not short...besides I'm still growing. And I'm nobody's second choice pal. "

Victor grinned at the exchange and shook his head before glancing at Cynthia, "So I don't think you ever mentioned how you met Oliver..."

Cynthia glanced at Oliver, her eyes then settling on Victor, smile on her face. "Well my Father has been the head of Oliver's Board since his father ran the company...so we sort of...grew up together."

Victor nodded as he finished the last of the vegetables on his plate. "That's cool, it's nice that you guys have kept in touch for so long."

Cynthia nodded as she glanced down at her empty plate. She'd been surprised to be welcomed into their home tonight, she thought for sure Chloe would have thrown a fit.

She supposed the blonde didn't want Oliver's friends to see them fighting and so she'd been surprisingly cordial all evening, which was driving Cynthia nuts.

Chloe cleared her throat and glanced around the table, "Does anyone want more?"

There was a round of 'no's' even Bart shook his head while patting his stomach and saying something about leaving room for dessert. Despite Cynthia's presence Chloe had actually had a nice time.

She couldn't remember the last time they all sat down and talked about things that didn't involve the end of the world. She hadn't realized how much she missed it.

Hopefully she'd be able to wrangle Lois, Clark and the rest of the team out for the next one. She pushed her chair back gently, her hand leaving Oliver's as she piled his plate on top of hers.

She glanced over at Mia, who had just finished up her biscuit and nodded towards the kitchen. "Think you can help me bring everything inside?"

She nodded and stood following Chloe's lead as she collected the plates. Cynthia cleared her throat causing several pairs of eyes to turn her way as she addressed Chloe.

"Do you need an extra pair of hands? I don't mind helping."

Mia's eyes turned to slits as she stood behind Cynthia's chair and Oliver noticed the change in the teenager’s demeanor immediately. Mia opened her mouth to say something, but before anything came out Chloe caught the younger woman's eyes with a stern look and shook her head shortly before looking at Cynthia.

"It's very sweet of you to offer, but we're fine...besides you're a guest." Chloe turned to Oliver, "We'll clear off the table and then bring dessert out in a little bit...how much time do you need for your call?"

Oliver looked hesitantly between Chloe and Cynthia, wondering how long it would be before Chloe wasn't able to hold Mia back anymore and she terrorized the woman again. "Fifteen minutes?" He stood from the table, "Sorry guys, promise it'll be a quick phone call."

Chloe gave him a small smile, "Perfect, you should be back just in time."

Chloe's eyes found Mia's as Oliver walked around the table. Mia was picking up another plate when the one on the top of her pile slipped heading towards the floor.

Before it could land, Bart reached out a hand fast, knocking Oliver into the Cynthia lightly. She let out a startled yelp as Oliver reached down and steadied her chair before shaking his head at Bart.

"Sorry dude...just trying to save the plate." Mia smiled at Bart, "Thanks...Maggie gave these to Oliver and Chloe as a belated wedding gift. I would have felt horrible if it broke...I'm gonna go bring these inside.”

Cynthia glanced at Bart, "Wow, those are some amazing reflexes."

He grinned and nodded, "Thanks."

Oliver squeezed Cynthia's shoulder lightly without looking at her and moved out of the room towards his office. Her eyes followed him before she glanced down to move her napkin and froze.

There was a white piece of paper folded into a small square on top of her napkin. She glanced around the table, the two men in the room with her were in the middle of a conversation and she could hear Chloe and Mia laughing in the kitchen.

Cynthia reached down leaving the note on her lap and opened it discreetly. Her eyes widened slightly before a smirk appeared on her lips.

‘Meet me in the study in five minutes’

She folded the note back up, a wave of giddiness filling her. She did it...she finally made him see he could do better than that blonde piece of trash he was married to.

She waited a minute, before excusing herself to use the bathroom. When no one was looking she made her way down the hallway and used the back entrance to the study. She pushed the door open and smiled at the sight of him sitting at his desk back towards her.

She walked into the room quietly, shutting the door and wrapping her arms around him from behind, her lips brushing against his ear as she pressed a kiss beneath it, before speaking.

"I got your note...I'm so glad you've finally came to your senses."

Oliver nearly jumped out of his seat, "Cynthia?! What the--"

She shushed him as she moved to sit on his desk in front of his chair chuckling lightly. "Relax she's all the way in the kitchen. God Ollie for a while there I thought it was gonna take a bump to the head to knock some sense into you."

Her hand brushed against his arm, brow furrowing. "You know I thought playing on her insecurities would work...turns out she trusts you more than I thought. I mean when the photo of us in the paper didn't work..."

She trailed off and shrugged, "I thought the rumors and the article about her last husband would have her missing home and desperate to be around familiar faces, but she stayed. Then I thought for sure the birth control thing would work...she'd blame you and that would be the end of it but Jesus that little Trollope is persistent."

She shook her head extending her hand to Oliver’s chest, tilting her head to the side, "I was sure the fundraiser would work though...and when she came late I thought you'd be upset...and well it didn’t exactly go as planned, but it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you finally realized you can do better than some small town girl...Daddy will be thrilled!"

She leaned in to press her lips against his, but he stopped her and she frowned finally taking a minute to study the expression on his face. Cynthia swallowed hard at what she saw there. Oliver's jaw clenched, anger boiling inside of him at her confession and insults to his wife.

Originally, when he heard the door just open with the smallest squeak, and two arms and clung around him, he had been expecting Chloe to be there...Surprise had overcome him when he heard Cynthia's voice, and rage consumed him at her words...

Chloe had been right about Cynthia, and his stomach turned slightly as the last pieces of the puzzle were slowly starting to come together. He grasped her wrist, "Are you trying to tell me your dad put you up to this? You don't have real feelings for me at all?" He bit the inside of his cheek, wondering if she'd play into his hand and tell him more, or try to lie right away.

Cynthia shook her head frantically as she glanced between him and the hand on her wrist. "No...no I mean yeah he asked me to talk to you...said that it would be better if your business was kept around people who knew it and knew this life, but...I care about you...I always have you know that. There must be a reason why I'm the only girlfriend you've actually kept in touch with...why even after we broke up you always came back to me...It might have been my Father's idea, but I want you..."

Oliver dropped her hand in disgust, "Always came back to you? We hooked up twice after we broke up, and both times we’d been drinking... But that’s not even the most disturbing thing you've said..." He pushed away from his desk, standing and staring down at her, piercing her with a glare, "You risked Chloe's life? You put my wife in danger?!"

Cynthia's mouth opened and closed a few times before she stood. She was thrown by Oliver’s words so she was doing the only thing she knew how to at this point and that was prey on his weaknesses, hoping that something would snap. "What is your problem? She wasn't in any real danger...oh wow trapped in a building big deal." She motioned to the door.

"And she looked just fine from where I was sitting tonight. I don't get where all this anger is coming from...Oliver you can do so much better than her...what more do I have to do to make you see that? You deserve someone who wants to give you everything you want Ollie including a family. She practically made herself sick at lunch at the thought of having your kids...some wife you have there. She can't even picture a future with you. That's what your fighting for...a woman who doesn't love you nearly as much as you love her."

Oliver scowled, "She's not ready." He held up his hand to stop her before speaking, "Correction—we’re not ready... I haven't even given her a real wedding, how can I give her a real family?" His jaw clenched so tightly he thought it might snap.

"And you don't know Chloe. You think she's not good enough for me?" He snorted, "She saved my life, I would be dead if she hadn't."

Cynthia rolled her eyes, "Oh please...you give her all this credit, but you're a survivor Oliver...you've never needed someone to fight your battles for you. And what you're saying you're with her then because she saved your life and you feel indebted to her? What a great reason to stay in a marriage..."

She glared at him and held up a piece of paper, voice irritated. "And if you're so gung ho on staying with your wife why did you give me this note?"

"First of all, I fell in love with her after she saved my life, and secondly--" He ripped the piece of paper from her hand, "What note?" He glanced down at it and frowned before tossing the paper back at her, "I didn't write this."

Cynthia let the paper fall to the floor confusion on her face, "That doesn't make any sense. I found it in my lap after you bumped into me if you didn't write the note then who did?"

As soon as the words left her mouth the door of the study was pushed open drawing Oliver and Cynthia's eyes to it. A smirk slid onto Chloe's face as she leaned against the door frame hands crossed under her chest in a relaxed gesture, gazing at the red head mirth dancing in her eyes.

"Oh...are you referring to my note?" Cynthia saw red as anger coursed through her and she took a step forward, voice full of rage "Why you little--"

"Ah ah...choose your next words very carefully, because my quotient for civil has been reached for the evening.” Chloe pushed away from the doorframe and chuckled lightly, but when she caught Cynthia’s gaze there was no mistaking the look in her eyes.

It was the look of a woman who was protecting the people she loved…a look of furry, rage and determination all thrown together. “I told you last week you didn’t want to play this game with me…I told you to stay away from my family…did you really think you’d win?”

Cynthia was seething as she glared at the blonde in front of her, “You’re not good enough for him…you don’t deserve him.” She spit the words out through clenched teeth and it only made Chloe laugh again as she nodded, the smile never leaving her face.

“You know…if you said that to me a few weeks ago I might have believed you…but then it dawned on me…who the hell are you to be telling me I don’t deserve him? All you were sweetheart was a piece of ass who happened to end up in his bed…and no offense to my husband…but there have been quite a few of those in the past.”

Cynthia opened her mouth, but Chloe shook her head, “No…don’t say anything. I’ll let you in on a little secret…there isn’t anyone is this world more suited for Oliver than me. If you come near my family again…if you touch, flirt, or so much as look at my husband…I will make your life hell in a way that you can’t even imagine. I told you the night of the fundraiser that you had no idea who you were dealing with and I meant it.”

Cynthia’s jaw clenched as she glanced between Chloe and Oliver her body shaking slightly with rage, eyes squinting as she looked at Chloe. “This isn’t over…it doesn’t end here. My Father won’t stand for this.”

Chloe nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face at Cynthia’s words. Her voice was light as a cheery smile settled on her face, “You know…I had a feeling you might say that.” Chloe tilted her head to the side and called out the door.

“Mia, can you come here for a minute?”

The brunette popped her head in the door and pursed her lips, “Yeah Chloe?” The blonde held out her hand and Mia grinned before placing a folder in it and waiting outside the door. Chloe turned to Cynthia, the lethal look back in her eyes as she held out the folder to her.

“You tell your Father the next time he wants to go behind my husband’s back to try and oust him as CEO and take away his shares of his company he might want to cover his tracks a little better. Also my advice…you should attend Monday’s nine o’clock Board meeting because I’m pretty sure with the anonymous tip the other members received about your father’s intentions and the fact that he was embezzling money from the company is not only going to get him fired, but possibly sent to jail.”

Mia could see that Cynthia was close to exploding and it made her want to laugh, but she just stood back and let Chloe do her thing. Chloe arched an eyebrow, pleasant expression on her face. “Are you hearing me Cynthia…because I’m not getting much of a response from you…should I slow down?”

She glared at the blonde in front of her. “I hear you…you must think you’re really terrific right now…you have no idea what you’re messing with…you’ll never be happy in this life…you’ll always have problems. You think getting rid of me will fix what’s wrong with your marriage…think again.”

Chloe shook her head. “It’s not going to work…I trust Oliver, Cynthia…I know that’s a hard concept for you to grasp…but it’s true. Now you go back and tell your Father that he’s done messing with Oliver and me…because you really don’t want to see me angry.”

Cynthia swallowed hard and when she didn’t move fast enough for Chloe, she glared at the red head. “Well what are you waiting for? Get the hell out of our house…you are no longer welcome here.” Cynthia pushed past Chloe and Oliver and moved out the door a mumbled ‘don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out’ fell from Mia’s lips before the front door slammed hard.

Chloe let out a sigh and glanced at Mia with a small smile, her voice soft. “Thank you…” The teenager nodded, “Any time…I’m gonna go make sure the guys are okay…” She bit her lip and moved away from the door leaving Oliver and Chloe alone.

Chloe sucked in a deep breath before turning to Oliver, unsure if he was going to be angry with her or not. She scrunched her nose and gave him a hesitant smile. “Hey…”

Oliver raised an eyebrow, a corner of his mouth rising simultaneously at the same time, "You planned this when you invited her the other night..."

Chloe pushed her tongue against the inside of her cheek, "I might have..."

He bit the inside of his cheek, "One question... Why didn't you just tell me and ask me to go along with it?" He stood up straighter, "I already told you it wasn't that I doubted you, just that I thought we should get proof...I could have helped, you didn't need to feel like you were defending our family alone."

She paused gathering her thoughts before glancing up at him as she spoke. "Because I needed to do this on my own…I needed to prove to myself that I didn't need you protecting me that I could fight my own battles. I've spent all these months feeling...like I didn't deserve to be in this relationship...like I didn't deserve you. I think a part of my problem with us getting married was me feeling like I was losing the person I was. I did this to prove to myself that last name or not I'm still the same girl who fell in love with you."

She smirked, amusement in her eyes."Besides I thought you might want to see that I can still plan and run a successful mission...didn't even need a back-up plan for this one."

Oliver shook his head, "I already knew all those things.”

Chloe shrugged, a slight frown marring her face as she looked at him. "Well I didn't. I finally figured it out Ollie...why I've been so uncomfortable all this time...why I didn't want to fit into what I felt was this confining role. Why I've been such a ridiculous mess. I was scared that I lost the person that I am...I was afraid you'd stop seeing me as your partner, you’re equal and only see me as your wife. Some little woman at home that you need to protect..."

She reached out rubbing his arm lightly, "But I was wrong and stupid...and I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that, because that's not the case at all."

Oliver smiled, stepping over to Chloe slowly, wrapping his arms around her, "Chloe, I'm always going to want to protect you, I always have." His hands dug into the curls of her hair, "But being my wife means you're my partner in everything..."

His thumbs swept back and over her jaw as he swallowed hard, "Maybe you didn't get the chance to see that because you were trapped in this from the beginning..."

She leaned into his touch as her hands slid up his chest a small smile slipping onto her lips, "Trapped is a strong word...but I guess it kinda fits...we never really had a chance to make the decision...we kinda just woke up married," Chloe chuckled softly, "But if it's any consolation...there isn't anyone in the world I'd rather be 'trapped' with."

"You didn't make a conscious decision when we married in Vegas, and you stayed because you loved me," his lips thinned as he pressed them together. "But like you said you hadn't planned any of it for a long time. Trapped is the perfect word."

Oliver inhaled deeply, "So marry me, Chloe..." He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, "Let's get married again and do it right this time."

His words startled her and she leaned back so she could look him in the eye as her heart beat quickened and she licked her lips to moisten them. She was suddenly very nervous, butterflies taking hold of her stomach. Was Oliver actually proposing to her?

"I...but we're already married..." She studied his face as she bit her lower lip and it dawned on her that it wasn't nerves making her stomach flutter, but anticipation...excitement. She wanted to be married to Oliver...not because they were already married and she had to be, but because she wanted to be.

Oliver nodded, "We are already married... But I want to do it right." His arms slid down from her hair and down her arms, over her hips as he lowered till he was kneeling in front of her.

"It doesn't matter if you want to plan the wedding for a few years, or get married tomorrow, whether it's a big wedding or small wedding..." He licked his lips, "I want to do everything with you...Marry me."

Chloe glanced down at him looking up at her, his features a mixture of love and uncertainty. She felt moisture pool in her eyes. This was the moment she had been missing...this was what she had needed. She should have known all along what her answer would have been...how could it have been anything else?

A bright smile broke out on her face as she bent slightly to his level before throwing her body at him, knocking him to the ground with an 'oomph', her body covering his as she leaned in placing a long kiss against his lips.

She broke away a minute later and answered in one breath. "Yes..." A laugh bubbled from her throat as she shook her head while looking down at him with loving eyes, voice a whisper. "How could you think the answer would be anything else?"

Oliver chuckled softly as he lifted a hand, tucking her hair behind her ear as he stared into her eyes lovingly, "Doesn't matter. I'll never doubt you again...You or your feelings."

She grinned, "That's right you won't, because I'm always right...or at least 95 percent of the time...you can have the other five percent because I love you." She leaned in placing a kiss against his chin before moving up his jaw towards his ear, as her legs fell on either side of his effectively straddling him. "So...what happens now Mr. Queen?"

"Mmm..." He moaned as he kissed her again before flipping them so that she was lying on the floor beneath him, "Now I'm going to make love to my wife and my fiancée..."

She giggled lightly, her head glancing around the room, "A threesome huh? I don't think we've ever done that before...where is this fiancée of yours...I’m not sure I’m willing to share…”

"Deal with it," Oliver grinned as he leaned down to brush his lips with hers. "I share you with Green Arrow."

Epilogue