Lauriver Chronicles

Chapter 117

"Oliver, Laurel, what's going on?" Artemis asked as they led her downstairs in the mansion from where she was getting ready for the Christmas party. She wanted to look her best since Wally was running out here for the party and then tomorrow night she was taking the zeta tubes to Central City for his family's Christmas party, since Oliver and Barry had agreed to schedule their parties on different days due to Artemis and Wally's new relationship. And Artemis was looking forward to meeting Wally's parents, since while she'd already gotten approval from his sister and brother-in-law, she still had to meet his parents. Especially since the only time he'd meet her dad is if he was helping lock him up and he wouldn't get to meet her mom for at least another 3 to 5 years after she got out of prison. Artemis had gone to visit her a few times, but there was still some remaining anger there.

"We got you a special present." Laurel said with a smile.

"What are you?" Artemis asked, only to be shocked when she saw her mother standing there in a party dress instead of a prison jumpsuit.

"Mom, how?" Artemis asked as Quentin smiled.

"Sam and I called in some favors and since your mom has been a model prisoner, the prison board agreed to grant her a one night furlough as long as a police officer is present at all times and she agrees to wear an anklet bracelet at all times." Laurel said.

"I can't believe it. Thank you." Artemis said as she hugged her foster parents before going up and hugging her mom.

"You should get to celebrate Christmas with your mother. Especially since this will be her chance to meet Wally." Oliver said.

"Wally, is that the name of a boy you're seeing." Paula asked with a smile.

"And now I need to tell him not to come here so you don't embarrass me in front of him." Artemis said, pulling out her phone.

"Oh come on Artemis. Embarrassing you in front of Wally is the best Christmas gift I can get. But at least your father won't be able to threaten him." Paula said.

"Fine. But I am happy you're here." Artemis said.

"So am I. Getting to spend the holidays with you is the best Christmas present I could get." Paula said.

"Alright, now isn't there a party to get too?" Quentin asked, smiling, since he had to admit, Paula did deserve this night with her daughter before she went back to prison.

That night, the party was in full effect, with everyone enjoying themselves, with Dinah doting on her pregnant daughter while also not so subtly trying to convince Sara and Ava that that they should start thinking about giving her some grandbabies too, which Sara just rolled her eyes at, even though she and Ava had started to have those talks already, not that she was going to tell her mom that.

Quentin was currently watching his granddaughter, who was trying to sneak a peek at her Christmas presents, though there was no sign of the puppy she'd been asking for over the past few years, much to her disappointment, while also keeping tabs on Paula, who was supervising her daughter's interactions with her new boyfriend, making sure that Wally played nice with her and didn't get any funny ideas.

But Oliver's attention was pulled from his conversation with Curtis about the current state of Queen Consolidated when John, Lyla and JJ arrived at the party, since they had a guest with them.

"Excuse me." Oliver said as he left Curtis to go talk to them.

"Now this is a surprise." Oliver said with a smile at the sight of his other sister Emiko attending the party.

"I'm officially a free woman." Emiko said with a smile.

"Really? I thought you were still in protective custody in the Maldives." Oliver said as he hugged her.

"The Ninth Circle is officially no longer a threat. Thanks to the intel Emiko provided, Argus and the DIA were able to cripple their operations with surgical strikes. Emiko's a free woman." Lyla said.

"And I'd like to join your team." Emiko said.

"And we welcome you." Oliver said, since Emiko was just as skilled with a bow as he was and with the new babies coming, he would need to take a step back to be a father.

Later on that night found Amelia and Yolanda were alone, just like they planned, not that either of them knew it, but they were now standing directly under mistletoe.

"Why do I get the feeling that we both planned for this to happen tonight?" Yolanda asked Amelia with a smile.

"Because you know me as well as I know you. And I think we're both tired of ignoring this chemistry between us." Amelia said.

"You know, I have Artemis running interference with my parents so they won't be on top of us and your parents have already left to put your brother down for the night." Yolanda said.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Amelia asked as they kissed.