We entered the dining hall all together. I was surprised to see Oliver waiting by the door. He gave Laurel a hug and then handed me a bouquet of flowers. They were beautiful and by the markings on his hands they were handpicked. I blushed and thanked him.

Taking me by the arm he led me to a seat right next to his. He pulled out the chair and helped me sit down. He looked rough but he was super gentle. Laurel sat next to me with Pixel on the other side of her. Thea jumped up onto my lap and whispered "I can't wait for you to be my big sister" and gave me a huge hug. I hugged her back and let her stay on my lap.

Oliver smiled at me and it made my face warm. I had never felt this way before. We had just meet but the world felt absolutely right at the moment. I didn't even notice that dinner had been set on the table.

Laurel tapped me on the shoulder and mouthed "told you so" and preceded to introduce me to her father, Corporal Quentin Lance. Her mother had died when her and Sara were young. I offered my sympathies. I also leaned over and whispered, "my mother is a widow as well, they could become good friends" and we came up with a plan to introduce the two of them.

There was a lot of food and talking. It was nice to be at a table where you didn't keep your eyes down and eat in silence. My mother had become very strict with rules since her father was killed in battle. I was hoping if she met and liked Quentin she would go back to her happy self.

About eleven i heard a slight snore for my lap. Oliver must have heard it as well because he laughed and said "I will take Thea to bed mom" and with that kissed his mom and dad on the forehead and proceeded to take Thea from my lap. "If you wouldn't mind Prince Oliver I would love to go with you" I said and stood up. He nodded and we were on our way.

We walked in silence as we headed towards Thea's room. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and said "I'm sorry your upset that I have a daughter. She is two years old and I love her dearly. Her father isn't in the picture at all. I kicked him out the minute he started complaining we had a daughter." I looked over to see Oliver's reaction and his face was right in front of mine. He pulled me close and kissed me. Not a first meeting kiss but a "Ive known and loved you forever" kiss. When we pulled apart he pointed down at the sleeping child in his arms and we both suppressed a laugh.

We walked hand in hand to Thea's room and laid her on her bed. We left quietly as not to wake her and headed back towards my quarters. Oliver held me close as we went as if there was hidden danger around every stone. We passed what must have been Sara's room because she was laying with a very beautiful women. "That's Nyssa, Sara's fiance, the alway's forget to close their door." Oliver said and shut their door. "I don't want her dad finding them again" he said and laughed. I loved his laugh. I loved his smile. I loved him.

We got to my door and stopped. By then I didn't care about etiquette or my station in life and said "would you like to keep me company this evening Oliver?" "I would love to my lady" he said and we both headed into the room, making sure it got closed after us.