Lauriver Chronicles

Chapter 116

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.

"Are you sure you don't mind spending Christmas in Gotham with my family?" Helena asked her fiance as they arrived at the airport.

"Little late to ask me that since we're already at the airport to take your father's jet back to Gotham isn't it? But yes, I'm fine with it. Especially since I know your mom really wants to help us with the wedding planning and we spend every day with my family. We can spend one holiday with yours. Besides, after we get married, they're going to be my family too." Thea reminded her.

"And Oliver's okay with it?" Helena asked.

"We spent Christmas with him last year, so this year, we're spending it with your family. Besides, mom's still overseas, so he'll primarily be spending the holiday with Laurel's side of the family, since Sara and Ava are coming in town for it, not to mention the kids and the rest of Team Arrow." Thea assured her.

"Okay, I just wanted to be sure. Christmas is the one time of year that Gotham doesn't feel so dead. And my parents go all out for the holidays, Wayne Manor looks like a Winter Wonderland." Helena said.

"Yeah, I can't really picture your dad being a real festive guy at the holidays. He's all broody." Thea said as they were shown to the plane.

"He wasn't initially, despite Alfred's best attempts. He made appearances at the Wayne Enterprises Holiday Party, but losing his parents kind of soured the holiday spirit, even when he was a kid. But after he married my mom, she made it her mission to get him to love the holiday season again and she succeeded, especially after he took in Dick and I was born. Once he started to let people inside, he started enjoying life again." Helena said.

"I'll believe that when I see it. But I am looking forward to finally seeing the Batcave." Thea said and Helena chuckled as she pecked her fiance's lips before they took their seats on the plane before it took off.

To say Thea was taken aback when the limo pulled up to Wayne Manor in Gotham was an understatement.

The place looked like nothing like she was expecting, since from Helena and Oliver had told her, the property normally looked as grim and stoic as its owner. But now, Helena was right, it looked like a winter wonderland.

The entire house was covered in lights, there were giant inflatable snowmen and a big Santa riding in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.

"Wow, you weren't kidding. Who knew Bruce Wayne has holiday spirit?" Thea said.

"Don't tell anyone? He doesn't like people knowing he's human." Helena laughed as the gate opened and the limo drove up to the front door, where Alfred was waiting for them.

"Alfred." Helena said happily as she rushed up to hug her old butler after getting out of the car.

"Welcome home Ms. Wayne and welcome Ms. Queen. I look forward to you joining the family, since I've never seen Miss Helena so happy." Alfred said.

"I can't wait either Alfred. But why don't we take this inside, since it's freezing out here." Thea said as their bags were taken out of the car.

"Very good ma'am." Alfred said with a smile as he led them inside.

"Where's mom and dad?" Helena asked.

"Your father is still at the office, since it doesn't close until Christmas Day and your mother is currently with young Master Damien while Master Tim is down in the Batcave with Miss Stephanie." Alfred said.

"Come on, let's go let mom know I'm home and then get settled into my old room." Helena said and Thea nodded, looking forward to spending Christmas in Gotham.

Meanwhile, back in Star City, Oliver and Laurel were preparing for similar festivities at the Queen Mansion, though Oliver was still disappointed that his mother was still in Europe instead of coming home to spend the holiday with them. According to their last phone call, she was currently in Ireland.

Moira being overseas had been one of the reasons Oliver had told Thea he was fine with her going to Gotham with Helena.

But, it wasn't like the house would be short on company, since in addition to himself, Laurel and the kids, Oliver was spending was Christmas with the rest of the team, meaning John and his family, Tatsu, Rene, who was bringing his daughter Zoe along and Curtis, along with Laurel's parents and Sara and Ava, who were flying in from DC for this, plus Jake and Sam Gamble and their family. So they'd have plenty of company and it would still feel like Christmas. Plus Roy was coming in from Bludhaven.

Oliver was actually pulled from his thoughts when the door opened and Roy walked in.

"Roy, good to see you again." Oliver said to his former protege.

"Good to be back. Especially since I have to admit, Star City is more appealing to me than Bludhaven." Roy said.

"Are you saying you want to come back to the Team?" Oliver asked, since he'd like nothing better than to have Roy back.

"If you'll have me. Things with the Titans got too crazy for me. Fighting a demon." Roy said and Oliver smiled.

"Welcome back Roy. You've been missed. How does Dick feel about this?" Oliver asked.

"He understood my reasons for leaving them and said that I'd always have a place with them, but I should really stop jumping between teams." Roy said.

"He's right about that. But welcome back Roy. And Merry Christmas." Oliver said.

"Merry Christmas." Roy said.