Fanfic: In Our Hands - Chlollie
Title: In Our Hands
Authors: slytherinpunk and sxymami0909
Rating: M for Mature (eventually NC-17)
Summary: “The palms’ don’t lie, Oliver.” Zatanna acclaimed as he snatched his hand away from her grip, “You have a son."
Spoilers: Canon til Season 10 episode 3... And goes AU from there (Oliver never revealed himself as Green Arrow, and Tess never ran Watchtower) runs with the timeline of the five years of Superman Returns.
Pairings: Chlollie
Status: 17/27
Previous Chapters: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven, Chapter Twelve, Chapter Thirteen, Chapter Fourteen, Chapter Fifteen, Chapter Sixteen
,Disclaimer: We do not own Smallville, nor do we claim to own any other characters therefore owned by DC Comics or CW network.
Fic Banner by: dhfreak
Chapter Banners by: sanaazzy
Special Thanks to: dhfreak and sanaazzy for contributing their art skills to this story.
Dedicated to: The wonderful sanaazzy who fell in love with this fic when I shared the first few chapters, and for never letting me give up on this story, even after brainstorming and failing for a year. Thank you so much for everything. ♥
Chapter Seventeen
Oliver nodded his head after every other syllable in repetition before finishing up the phone call and hanging the cordless phone back up on the charger. He turned back around, glancing between Chloe as she sipped her coffee at the counter and Connor sat patiently, and oddly too quiet, at the table.
“That was the coach,” Oliver explained. “Games canceled today on account of all the rain.” His eyes softened as he turned fully to Connor, “Sorry buddy...”
Connor’s eyes were downcast, and his bottom lip was overpowering in a small pout, “No... When are they rescheduling it?”
“Monday, after school,” Oliver repeated the information he had been given.
Connor nodded, hoping he managed to get Oliver on a plane back to the States by then. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Oliver. Quite the opposite, he didn’t seem like a bad guy, and he even went out of his way to help Connor practice. But all his help, the books, and even the way he had insisted on taking care of his sick mom, all those simple tasks had an underlining reason behind them now.
Oliver was in love with his mother. Everything he had done had been in favor of winning his mom’s affections. And though Connor didn’t hate the guy, it was natural instinct to keep possible suitors away from his mother in his father’s absence.
He knew his dad wasn’t around--That he hadn’t been for years. But there was a reason his mom never dated or batted an eyelash at any male in her vicinity. She didn’t say it out loud, but Connor knew his mom still loved his dad. And while he had intended on finding him when he was a little bit older, he realized he had to speed up his plans now. Once Oliver was out of the picture, he would find his dad, and get his parents back together.
Chloe cleared her throat and Connor glanced up at his mother eyebrow raised. She smiled over her mug of coffee, small grin on her face, "Well since the games been cancelled what do you boys say we go see a movie? With the rain it's a perfect day..."
Her voice trailed off and Connor gave her half a smile, "Sounds fun." Her brow furrowed, but she returned her son's smile as she pulled her mug to her lips taking another sip, before glancing at Oliver, bright eyes filled with warmth before they were back on her beverage.
Chloe stood, leaning against the counter barefoot in a pair of boxers and an old sweatshirt of Oliver's. She was just about to ask Connor what movie he wanted to see when the phone rang and before Oliver could move towards it, Connor yelled out that he'd get it. In his rush to get to the phone his socks slid against the floor slightly causing him to knock into her the on the way to the phone.
She had been shifting her mug between hands when he knocked into her, making her lose her grip on it. The ceramic mug tumbled to the ground crashing against the floor into several pieces, effectively spilling coffee everywhere. Connor froze a few feet away with the phone in his hand as Chloe glanced down at the floor, her eyes wide in surprise.
She swallowed hard as she stared at the green shards on the floor, emotion building up inside of her. It was stupid, completely unreasonable for her to be so upset. It was just a mug... But it had been one of the first things Oliver had ever given her... And now it was just as broken as they were. Chloe could feel her eyes burn as her throat constricted.
Connor's voice broke her from her thoughts and she glanced up at him confusion in her voice, "What?"
Connor gulped as he saw the pain that passed across his mother's face and his shoulders slumping slightly, "I said I'm sorry... I know that's you favorite mug... It was an accident I didn't mean to break it."
Chloe shook her head slightly, voice soft, "It's fine sweetie, it's not a big deal... It's just... A mug. I probably should have replaced it years ago, I just--" She paused swallowing as she reached for her next few words, "I just didn't have the heart to..."
The phone had stopped ringing and she licked her lips to moisten them suddenly feeling ridiculous over getting so emotional about a stupid mug. "Why don't you go watch some TV or read while I clean this up and then head into the shower so we can all go out and see an early movie?"
Connor froze for a moment, his eyes falling to the broken pieces of her mug before he nodded and shifted toward the living room.
Oliver bent down beside the broke shards of the mug, on the floor, glancing up at Chloe’s legs before his eyes traveled to her face, “You shouldn’t pick up broken glass in--” His gaze flickered over her bare legs again before he forced himself to look down back at the floor, “Uh...” He licked his lips nervously, “Shorts... You go ahead and jump in the shower... I can clean this up here.”
Chloe hesitated for a moment, before nodding while she bit her bottom lip, voice quiet as she spoke, “Okay.” She brushed a hand against his shoulder, her hand probably lingering longer than it should have.
Turning to avoid the shards from the broken mug, she headed towards the archway before pausing and turning back in his direction, "Thanks Oliver... I appreciate it."
She walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs, wondering if maybe the mug breaking was a sign... Some higher power trying to tell her she was getting in over her head, that her feelings for Oliver were starting to make themselves known. If that was the case then she needed to stop and take a step back... Remind herself that Oliver was no longer hers and no matter how she felt about him, he wouldn't be hers ever again.
His eyes followed hers until she disappeared into the hallway, and he turned back to the floor again, picking up the larger pieces before the smaller ones and placing them in the garbage. He reached for a paper-towel on the counter and bent back down to collect the smaller fragments, his mind drifting back to the previous night.
He felt it was safe to say Zatanna’s phone call had shaken something in his subconscious, because he had barely been able to take his eyes off of Chloe for most of the evening. In fact, he couldn’t recall any specific piece of art, aside from the soccer photograph Connor had been entranced with, because all his attention had been directed toward Chloe, and some instances, Connor.
Oliver prided himself on being a multi-tasker. Previously, he had been known to charm a room, speak to everyone at least once, and discuss the art, charity, or whatever business function he had been present at. He had barely spoken unless Connor, or Chloe asked him a question, and he was a little shameful to admit his mind had strayed to one or two indecent thoughts regarding Chloe.
He had always been attracted to her. But he had always known the difference between a right time and a wrong time with dealing with his attraction toward her. Dating her cousin?--Wrong time. Her engagement to Jimmy?--Wrong time. Reclusive archery lessons in the watchtower?--Right time. At a campus function seven years after she left him?--Wrong time. If anything he should be more focused on Connor, but Zatanna had been right, he wanted to sort things out with Chloe first.
His distracted mind could have been chalked up to the sudden shift in their relationship and dynamic. When he had first arrived, she had been defensive, and he had acted on the offense. They had a silent tug of war battle for dominance, and walked on eggshells around each other, tip-toeing around or full on avoiding any subject that didn’t have to do with their son and suddenly that had all changed.
They both were more considerate of each other, softer and warmer. And while it was significantly better than being hostile toward one another, he was weary to tread this path with her again, for fear it would only result in the same way it had last time, and his heart would be as shattered as the mug he had once given her now was.
Picking up the last of the pieces and tossing them in the trash can, he sought out the broom and swept any unseen slivers into the dust pan before emptying it too. He resided to the fact that he would probably always be attracted to Chloe, and seeing her nurturing side to their son, something he had imagined many times over when he had dreamt of them sharing a life together, would only bring his desire for her out more.
But he decided he wouldn’t make a move toward her. Oliver didn’t think his heart could handle the disappointment when she’d turn him down, and he didn’t want Connor to get his hopes up of having a family again. Once they told him of his lineage, Oliver intended to be in Connor’s life as much as possible, and he hoped Connor would grow up happy enough, knowing both his parents loved and wanted him, regardless of not being able to work out their differences.
Placing the broom and dust pan back where he retrieved them from, he glanced up at the sound of small feet pattering on the hardwood floor and he held out a hand, “I think I got all the pieces, but I don’t think you should step over here without socks and shoes on.”
“Okay,” Connor agreed before staring at Oliver silently for a moment.
Oliver stood up straighter, the worried look on Connor’s face unsettling him, “Is everything okay, buddy? Your mom’s not upset about the mug, you don’t have to worry, it was an accident.”
“Thanks,” Connor muttered lowly. “Will you go upstairs to the bathroom for me?”
Oliver froze before his eyes lifted to the ceiling and his ears managed to hear the water running through the pipes and the upstairs bathroom, “Sure, Con. Your mom should be out in a minute and I’ll go up there then.”
“No,” Connor shook his head relentlessly. “I need you to go now.”
Oliver frowned slightly, “I can’t buddy, your mom is in there. And its impolite to barge in when someone is showering.”
Connor gave him an unconvinced expression, “But you have to go... My chest hurts.”
Oliver knelt down, panic sinking into his stomach, “Your chest hurts?” He flattened his palm over his chest, “What’s wrong? What hurts?”
“Breathing,” Connor answered. “Its my asthma... Need my inhaler.”
Oliver’s brow furrowed, “Inhaler?” Chloe hadn’t shared the medical condition with him, and even then it didn’t make much sense given his physical activity. But then it occurred to him she hadn’t disclosed his allergy to peanuts either, and that Connor was the one who had brought that up in the bakery.
“I’ll help you upstairs, and then you can go in and get it, okay? Do you know where its at?”
Connor shook his head, “No! You have to get it. It’s in the medicine cabinet behind the mirror.” He paused to take a few deep breaths, “I can’t reach it... You don’t want to tell my mom you let me have an asthma attack--” He took another shaky breath, “Do you?”
The way Connor shook as he tried to inhale made him panic, and Oliver collected him in his arms, lifting him up and holding onto him securely as he flew into the hallway and raced up the stairs before setting Connor on his feet outside the bathroom door, his fist knocking loudly against it.
“Chloe!” Oliver hollered a warning at her through the door, “I’m coming in.” Grasping the doorknob he twisted it and thrust the door open before rushing to the medicine cabinet and pulling back the steam covered mirror. His eyes scanned the shelves from top to bottom, searching for any type of inhaler, but he found none.
His panic began to rise, and he quickly wondered if Chloe was likely to keep Connor’s inhaler in her purse, so that it was on her at all times in case of an emergency.
He moved to run down the hall, when he realized the bathroom door was shut, and he frowned, and having not remembered closing it. He reached for the doorknob, twisting it slightly and pulling back, only to find out it wouldn’t budge and he realized he was locked in.
Chloe’s low voice over the running water made his shoulders stiffen and he cleared his throat, “I’m sorry. Connor had me run in here and now I can’t get this blasted door open.” He tugged on it again, failing to open it, “How do you open this?”
Oliver banged his hand against the door, “Con, can you hear me? Can you open the door? I can’t find your inhaler.” His eyes glimpsed at the shower curtain and he felt his cheeks flush slightly, but he tried to ignore the awkward predicament he was in, “Chloe, do you keep Connor’s inhaler in your purse?”
Chloe had frozen when she heard Oliver's voice in the bathroom, "Oliver, what the hell are you doing?" What in the world was he doing in there? She could hear him panicking about something and she pushed the curtain aside enough to stick her head out, catching his last sentence about an inhaler.
She frowned, "What are you talking about, an inhaler? Why would Connor have an inhaler? He doesn't have asthma...” Her brows pinched together in confusion, “You've seen him run across a soccer field faster than any of the kids out there."
He turned so he was facing her and took in the steam coming from the shower, blonde hair wet and sticking to her slightly as her small hands held the curtain to her body, the silhouette of her naked body pressed against it.
She glared at him, a hint of anger seeping into her voice, "You think I'd let our son play soccer and train as much as he does if he had asthma?"
“No, of course not,” Oliver missed her glare as his eyes dipped and drifted over her silhouette briefly. “But he was clingy to his chest and gasping for air while asking for his inhaler, I thought maybe... Why would he lie to me about--” Realization dawned on him and he snorted before leaning against the sink counter and shoving his hands into his hair, “Son of a...”
He trailed off and bit his lip, before a bitter chuckle escaped him, “Well, he’s certainly related to Lois...” Oliver shook his head, and crossed his arms over his chest, “But what motivation could our son have for locking me in here with you...?”
Chloe frowned, startled by his words, "Wait, Connor said he needed an inhaler? Connor doesn't lie... Why would he say that? And you think he locked you in here? Our six year old son locked you in the bathroom with me? That doesn't even make any sense Oliver... Maybe the door is just stuck...”
Her cheeks flushed slightly, as it dawned on her the last time she and Oliver had been alone together in a bathroom together, and her hand clenched the shower curtain tighter as if she was afraid it was too revealing. “Could you just... Get out. I'm--" Naked, wet and I'm pretty sure a part of me wants you to join me in the shower... Her thoughts ran rampant before she continued speaking. "Showering..." Her voice trailed off, anger deflating at the realization that she was in a bathroom completely naked with Oliver not far from her.
Her mind suddenly drifted to the last time she had been intimate with Oliver--the day she now knew had been the day they had conceived their son. And a wave of arousal rocked through her body at the memory of Oliver’s skin against hers, making her suck in a deep breath. It had been a long time since that kind of desire hit her and she swore out loud before shoving the curtain closed and stepping under the water to try and focus.
When she spoke, her voice wasn’t loud, but there was a slightly breathless tone to it that she couldn't seem to get rid of, "Oliver... You need to get out just... Push the door open or something..."
He let out a humorless laugh, “Chloe, I tried pulling the door as hard as I could. I think something is braced up against he doorknob on the other end...” He swallowed as his eyes stole a glance at her silhouette again, “And I certainly didn’t make this up... I have no idea why he would lie and then lock me in here with you.” His mouth twitched, and if they hadn’t been in another country he would have instantly blamed Lois for this.
“You have to admit... This has Lois Lane written all over it.” He sighed and his eyes drifted to the ceiling as he fought to look away from her, trying hard not to imagine her naked and wet skin behind the curtain. “Clearly, his Sullivan-Lane blood is a dominant factor in this...”
Chloe snorted, "Well obviously... He did after all come from me..." She sighed as she ran a hand down her body pausing at her stomach being biting her lip to hold back a groan before moving her hands back up her body instead of down. This was bad... Very, very bad.
She cleared her throat, her voice coming out slightly hesitant, "Did you call him? What's he doing out there? Do you think..." Chloe swallowed hard as she fumbled with the right words, "I mean... Do you think he wants you stay in here... So maybe he's trying to... Push us together?" Her voice trailed off silence settling between them as she waited for him to speak, holding her breath slightly.
His eyes had fallen closed when she had groaned, and his grip on the counter had tightened, “I tried calling for him, but he won’t answer.” His eyes widened at her suggestion and he stood up from the counter, “Do you think...? I mean... That makes sense right? Why else would he lock us in here together when you’re--”
Oliver let out a low exhale, and swallowed quickly, “In the shower...”
Chloe made a face before, grinning slightly, "It's possible... I mean like you said it would make sense and yes, Oliver... I'm well aware of where I am... Thanks for the update though." She shook her head washing the last of the conditioner out of her hair before turning off the water.
She stood there in front of the curtain for a minute, unsure of what to do, teeth biting into her lower lip before she spoke, voice low, "Ollie...I need a towel."
Oliver glanced at the towel on the rack on the back of the door, “Right...” He gulped, “The towel.” He snagged it down from its hook before closing his eyes and holding it out to the edge of the curtain.
Chloe shifted the curtain slowly and when she saw his eyes closed, she opened it fully, taking the towel and quickly wrapping it around her body. It was small and just barely managed to cover the curve of her ass. It was one of Connor's smaller towels, but she hadn't thought that would be an issue at the time she came into to the bathroom.
She let out a short sigh, voice soft, "You're good, you can open your eyes." She lifted a foot out of the shower setting it on the floor and slipped on water that must have spilled out earlier, when she opened the curtain to yell at Oliver. His arms were around her instantly, pulling her body against his to keep her from falling.
He had only opened his eyes to catch her, and then immediately clamped them shut again when he noticed how little it barely covered of her. When he felt her steady herself, his arms loosened from around her, and he took a step back, taking several shallow breaths, either Connor was playing matchmaker, or he was trying to kill him. Oliver wasn’t sure which it really was at this point.
Oliver coughed, “Maybe if you tell him to open the door, he’ll hear you... Or listen.”
Chloe nodded even though he couldn't see her and moved towards the door making sure not to touch Oliver. She tried the knob and then cleared her throat, "Connor... Open this door right now young man." Chloe had her 'Mom' voice in place as she waited patiently until she heard small footfalls by the door followed by a click. She pulled open the door standing slightly behind it as she arched an eyebrow and addressed their son.
"Connor... Why did you tell Oliver you had an inhaler when you don't? And why would you lock him in here? You knew I was in the shower," her voice wasn't angry, simply confused as she addressed their son, trying to coax an answer from him.
Connor glanced at Oliver and he coughed again, slipping between Chloe and the doorway, “I think I’m going to go get a change of clothes before I jump in the shower.” He jogged down the steps, glimpsing over his shoulder at Chloe for a moment before heading into the living room.
Turning back to his mom, Connor lifted his shoulders into an almost non-existent shrug as he attempted to avoid her question, “He’s the one that ran up here to get into the bathroom where you were showering.” He crossed his arms and raised a brow, “Are you sure you want a pervert staying here with us? He might want to sneak a peek at you in the shower again?”
Chloe opened and closed her mouth as she stared at Connor, brows furrowed. She bent down, squatting in front of her son while holding onto her towel tightly as she pursed her lips before speaking calmly, "Connor... You told Oliver that you were having trouble breathing... And you said your inhaler was in the bathroom. Now if you did have asthma, I would expect him to react the way he did to find a solution, if I'm not there to help. He came in here for you."
She caught their sons eyes, a stern look on her face, but still her voice held no anger, "Now would you like to tell me why you lied?"
Connor sighed, “I was testing him...” He frowned and crossed his arms, “And he couldn’t even open the bathroom door, what if there was a fire? He’s not very strong,” he raised his chin as he stared at his mom.
Chloe scrunched her nose, "Testing him? Connor... Sweetie, Oliver didn't want to break the door. You realize if he did it would cost us money to fix it."
She studied Connor for a minute not sure what was going on with her son. Connor heard footsteps on the stairs as his Mother sighed, "Look, I know you worry kid, and I love you for it, but if something were really wrong or there was a fire or anything like that... Trust me, Oliver would make sure we were okay. So you don't need to test him... Or worry. How many people have I left you with over the years Connor?"
He glanced at Chloe, arms crossing slowly over his chest as he pouted, "None."
She gave him half a smile, "Exactly, but I trust Oliver, Connor... It would be okay if you wanted to trust him too..." She let her voice trail off as she tried to figure out if that's what Connor was doing. Seeing if he could trust the other man in their lives.
Connor clamped his mouth shut, a skeptical brow raised at his mother before he nodded, “Okay....”
Chloe grinned bright as she stood up straight, "Good, now go on, get ready. The three of us are gonna have a ton of fun at the movies, I bet Ollie will even let you pick the movie."
Pursing his lips, Connor nodded before heading down the hallway to his room. He was disappointed his mom wasn’t mad at Oliver for inappropriately barging into the bathroom during her shower, but Connor chalked that up to his mistake... He shouldn’t have told a lie.
Instead of dwelling on his failed attempt, or giving up, Connor had a better idea. His mom wouldn’t be mad at Oliver for something he was at fault for... She even went out of her way to defend how Oliver would protect them. So Connor would just have to make her second guess her assumptions. Like she said, she never left him with anyone before Oliver. And once Oliver unintentionally put him in danger, his mom would throw Oliver out faster than he could kick a ball...
-------------------------------
They had just stepped out of the theater, into the cool air and Chloe shivered slightly, wrapping her jacket tighter around herself. Oliver glanced at her before wrapping a hesitant arm around her, rubbing her arm slightly to help her warm up.
She glanced at him, cheeks flushed from the cold and gave him a warm small. Connor watched the exchange and glared in their direction slightly. He scrunched his nose and shifted, pushing gently between his mom and Oliver, taking her hand.
Chloe glanced down at their son and chuckled as she squeezed Connor's hand lightly, "How'd you like the movie, munchkin?"
He smiled at up at her, making sure he stayed between them as they headed towards the car, "It was funny, I liked it."
"I'm glad..." Her gaze once again fell on Oliver, eyes soft as she spoke, "Thanks again for treating us Ollie... Connor, did you thank Ollie?"
Connor lifted his head up, looking toward Oliver, “Thank you, Oliver.”
Oliver smiled, “You’re welcome champ.” His eyes shifted to Chloe and he smiled, “Feel like stopping at a restaurant and getting some dinner? Whatever you two are in the mood for is okay with me.”
Connor raised a brow, “How bout Thai food?”
Oliver paused for a moment, “Hm... Depends if they can cook without the peanut sauce.” He reached out, ruffling Connor’s hair slightly, “Don’t forget, you’re allergic too, sport.”
Connor glanced at the ground and rolled his eyes slightly, how could he forget? He looked at his mom and she nodded before he glanced at Oliver, "Mom and I know a good place, and they offer a whole bunch of dishes without peanut sauce."
Chloe rubbed her stomach slightly and smirked, "Mmm, Thai food, my favorite oh and you know what that means... Coconut ice cream!" Conner chuckled at his Mother's excitement as they made their way to the car.
Chloe paused as their son let go of her hand and pulled open the door to the back seat before getting in. Oliver walked around to the drivers side as he and Chloe got in. She rested her arm between them and gazed in his direction as he started the car and pulled away from the curb, "The restaurant is three blocks over from Connor's school."
Oliver nodded, “Okay.” He headed in the direction Chloe had instructed them. He was glad they had all seemed to enjoy the movie. It was a little different, and Connor had been unusually quiet after apologizing to him for lying and locking him in the bathroom.
But he still hadn’t figured out their sons motive behind the stunt he had pulled. And he wasn’t sure where Connor had even gotten the idea from, or if he had cooked it up all on his own.
Glancing in the rearview mirror, he stole a glimpse at Connor before returning his eyes to the road. “Do I turn left or right?” He asked, raising a brow at Chloe for a quick second.
She placed a hand on his arm and motioned towards the left, "Left up here." He nodded as Connor sat in the back seat, eyes glaring at the hand on Oliver's arm that his mother still hadn't pulled back.
He didn't like how Oliver was constantly holding his mother's hand or touching her in some way. He really needed to get the blond billionaire on a plane and out of their lives.
It had been nice having him around for a while, and he liked Oliver, but now that he knew the older man was in love with his mom he couldn’t stay any longer. The car pulled to a stop as Oliver parked and shut it off.
Chloe unbuckled her seat belt and glanced over her shoulder at Connor, "Ready for some spring rolls, munchkin?"
Connor smiled and nodded as the three of them made there way out of the car. Oliver and Chloe had already fallen instep beside each other and Connor could see Oliver reaching a hand out to take his mom's again, so he quickly cut between them, knocking into the older man slightly as he gripped Chloe's hand in his smaller one. Their son didn’t even bother looking up at Oliver as he mumbled a short 'sorry' not wanting to upset his mom.
Oliver lifted a shoulder as he pulled open the door to the restaurant for Chloe and Connor, “It’s alright.” He followed Chloe and Connor inside, where a hostess started to seat them at small round table.
“Can we have that one?” Connor pointed to a small square table along the wall.
The hostess turned questioningly toward Chloe and Oliver, and he shrugged in response, “I don’t see why not.” He turned his infectious smile toward the hostess, nodding his head to where Connor was pointing, “That one please.”
Nodding with a smile, the hostess turned away from the table she had originally planned to seat them, and set the menus down on the table Connor had picked. Squeezing his mother’s hand, Connor pulled her on one side of the table, ushering her to the seat next to his as Oliver took his seat across from them.
“So,” Oliver reached for a menu before glancing up at Chloe. “Whats good here?”
She smiled leaning across the table slightly, motioning toward his menu, and pointing to a small section of dishes on the right hand side, "These are our favorite dishes here, but most of their food here is good. Their spring rolls are really good too."
Connor frowned yet again at the contact and tapped Chloe against her side. She turned to their son with a small grin, "Figure out what you want already kid?"
Nodding, Connor pointed to a numbered platter on the side of the menu, “And an order of spring rolls.”
“Sounds good,” Oliver agreed. “I think I’ll have the Pad Thai minus the peanut sauce.” He grinned at Chloe and tilted his head as he stared at her, “Are we ready to order then?”
She nodded, her eyes catching his with a soft look, "Yup I think we're all set." Oliver nodded and waved over their waitress as Chloe's gaze shifted to their son. He'd been unusually quiet since the movie and she was starting to wonder if maybe something was wrong.
Chloe nudged Connor lightly with her shoulder and when he looked over at her she gave him a small grin, ducking her head and speaking in a whisper as Oliver ordered for all of them, "You okay, kiddo?"
“Yeah,” Connor gave her a slanted smile. Or at least he would be once he managed to get Oliver away from his mom. “Can we go shopping tomorrow?” He asked politely after the waitress set down their beverages.
Chloe arched an eyebrow at her son's question amusement on her face as she traded a look with Oliver before smiling at Connor, "Sure... I can take you in the afternoon if you want. What are we going shopping for?"
Biting his lip, Connor cast his eyes down to the table, staring intently at the table cloth, “I was kind of hoping Oliver could take me.” He counted to three in his head before glimpsing up at Oliver, “Mom said you know archery, and that you might be able to show me...” He explained meekly.
Oliver swallowed, looking at Chloe for a moment before nodding at Connor, “Yeah buddy... I can take you... I don’t know where to find a kids bow though.”
“I have one,” Connor sat up straighter in his chair. “They’re like suction cups at the end, not real arrows... But I don’t know how to shoot with it correctly, and we live in a town house so I can’t practice and accidentally get it stuck to a neighbors window...”
“I’ll teach you,” Oliver said simply. “But I still don’t know why you need to go shopping.”
Connor grinned, “Practice targets.”
Oliver nodded, turning to Chloe with a smile, “Well as long as it’s okay with your mom...”
Chloe’s heart warmed as she glanced between them and realized Oliver was waiting for an answer. She cleared her throat and nodded,"Of course... I'll finish up the rest of my work while you two are out." She glanced at Connor with a grin, "You're gonna have a blast. Ollie is a way better teacher than me." He let out a soft chuckle as she lifted her glass of water to her mouth.
Suppressing a smirk as the waitress placed their dinner in front of them, Oliver stole another look at Chloe, thankful that her trust in him was growing. It wasn’t just his relationship with Connor that was growing, his with Chloe’s was strengthening again too. And despite being nervous, he was looking forward to tomorrow.
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