Chapter 20

Chloe stood beside Alfred as he knocked on the door. He looked nervous and scared but smiled when she grabbed his hand. Behind the doors they could hear something that sounded almost like a stamped before a woman's voice called out. They couldn't hear what was said but the loud sound came to a halt. Barely a moment later the door was opened by a woman in her mid-twenties. The woman was about 5'8", thin but with curves, had long, auburn hair and bright blue eyes. Alfred and Chloe could see nearly a dozen children peering back at them.

"Hi, can I help you?" The woman sweetly asked.

Alfred cleared his throat before beginning cautiously. "Uh yes I hope so. I'm looking for Thomas and Holly Robinson. Are they here?"

"Well actually yes. Usually Holly isn't here but she just happens to be visiting today." She looked at Alfred and Chloe slightly suspiciously. "Do they know you?"

"We've never met no. I do have some pertinent information for them however. I was hoping to speak to them." Alfred extended a hand to the young woman belatedly. "I seem to be forgetting my manners, miss. My name is Alfred Pennyworth and this is my dear friend Chloe Queen. I'm sorry if we're intruding. You seem to have a full house."

"Our house is always full." She laughed before shaking his hand. "I'm Katrina Robinson. Please come in." Katrina lead them into a small living room. "Have a seat please. I'll go get Tom and Holly."

Chloe and Alfred seated themselves on the couch and waited. Chloe's hand was constantly on Alfred's offering support. "Don't worry so much Alfred. It'll all work out."

Only Alfred rose when Katrina returned with two others. Chloe tried to but was waved back down by the others, instead she looked at the newcomers. Thomas was 6'1" with short blonde hair, blue eyes and lean muscular body. Chloe was happy to note he looked like a younger version of Alfred. Holly was shorter then Chloe by an inch with shoulder length black hair. Her eyes were a brilliant green and she had the lean body of a gymnast.

"Thomas, Holly this is Alfred Pennyworth and his friend Chloe Queen." Katrina said as she sat down.

"My wife said you have some information for us?" Thomas said taking a seat next to his wife on the couch across from Chloe and Alfred while Holly settled herself in a chair to the right.

"Ah yes well I have been looking for you two for nearly 25 years." Alfred began before cutting off unsure of himself.

"25 years? But we just turned 25 this year." Holly said softly. "Did you know our parents?"

When Alfred seemed hesitant to speak Chloe spoke up. "Actually he's your father. He used to work with your mother occasionally many years ago. They had a brief affair and he was surprised to learn a few years later that they had twins together. Before he could even try to be apart of your lives she disappeared with you. He found her again a year later but she had been injured and was in trouble. She told him what she had named you and that she had given you the last name of Robinson. When they were trying to escape from people that wanted to kill her she fell into a river but her body was never recovered. He's searched the entire world for you but oddly never even thought to look in his own town."

Thomas, Katrina and Holly sat there stunned as they listened to the tale Chloe told. Thomas was the first to recover. "Wow. I had given up on ever finding out anything about our parents years ago. I just thought of my family as Holly then Katrina and the kids we looked after. I don't know how to react to discovering I have a father."

"I know this must be difficult for you and I would understand if you would rather I kept my distance. But I would love to get the chance to get to know you and be apart of your lives." Alfred almost pleaded.

Holly watched Alfred a few moments before sighing. "It will probably be hard adjusting to this but I'd like to try. Tell us about yourself Alfred. How did you meet our mother? What do you do now?"

"I was actually working for Her Majesty as an intelligence agent. Your mother was a skilled spy and thief. Sometimes she was an ally and sometimes she was…"Alfred smiled before continuing. "Well sometimes she was a very naughty girl. We lost touch for many years when I went to work as a butler for the Wayne family but received an urgent request to help on an important assignment along with your mother. I think I had fallen in love with her during our earlier years but due to her less then perfect lifestyle didn't give in until we were thrown together that last time. She was quite the woman. Brilliant, sexy, beautiful, funny, caring, resourceful." Alfred seemed to drift away from them into his own memories. Chloe finally elbowed him and laughed.

"Earth to Alfred. Come in Alfred." Chloe said laughingly waving a hand in front of his face.

"Oh…I'm sorry." Alfred smiled again. "As for what I do now I am still the butler for the Wayne family. There's only Bruce now but I have high hopes Andrea will become part of the family."

"Andrea's roommate and my close friend Dinah is actually how he found you." Chloe told them.

"Dinah? Dinah Lance. As in Holly's girlfriend Dinah?" Katrina asked shocked.

"Yes. I've known Dinah and Andrea for almost 3 years now. They spent Christmas with us in Kansas." Chloe explained.

"Dinah said she was spending Christmas with friends. Actually she said her pregnant friend was demanding her attendance and wouldn't take no for an answer. I'm guessing you're the insistent pregnant friend?" Holly laughed as she indicated Chloe.

"Guilty." Chloe smiled. "I wanted my family together for Christmas and to me they are family."

"Wait I just realized something." Thomas said staring at Chloe. "You are the wife of billionaire Oliver Queen. Weren't you kidnapped a few months ago?"

"Yes to both." Chloe said remembering that time somewhat sadly. "Dinah and Andrea were very helpful in bringing me back, and keeping Oliver calm." Chloe sighed before smiling brightly changing the subject. "You have no idea how nervous Alfred was to come meet you. He almost chickened out 3 times afraid you wouldn't want to know him. I told him he was nervous over nothing and you would come to love him just like I do."

"Chloe is like a daughter to me and has encouraged me every step of the way." Alfred smiled affectionately at Chloe before turning to the other three. "I was hoping you would join us for New Year's Eve. Bruce and I are holding a party for our friends and family. I would love for you to join us."

"We'd love to if we can find a babysitter for the kids." Thomas said with a huge smile.

The conversation became light-hearted as Thomas and Holly told Alfred about their lives. He was shocked to discover they had lived on the streets but was extremely proud of what they had accomplished in their young lives. Chloe and Alfred stayed for almost 5 hours as the group exchanged stories. When they finally left Alfred was practically beaming.

Chloe looked over from the passenger seat and lightly laughed. "I told you they would love you. You should never doubt me again."

"Thank you for coming Chloe. I was bumbling like an idiot at the beginning."

"Yes I noticed. I don't think I've ever seen you so flustered it was adorable." Chloe laughed.

Alfred just blushed.

Thursday, December 31st, 2009 4pm

"It's kinda…odd not to be hosting a charity ball or party for the pomps this year." Bruce commented to Oliver as they entered the small ballroom. Workers had labored hard to make the room magnificent yet homey. A large table sat near the middle of the room set for 20 while a buffet table sat nearby. A large sound system was set up at one end of the room from which they would play pre-mixed CDs for entertainment. And a small dance floor was set up in front of the large windows while outside on the patio were comfortable seat and blankets ready for the guests to comfortably watch fireworks. "Alfred and Chloe have done a wonderful job. It will be an elegant but very private party."

"Chloe insisted that everything be set up so that we could serve ourselves so that no workers would have to lose out on their own New Years parties. She said we'd been spoiled and selfish long enough by having others give up their holidays so we can have our parties." Oliver laughed.

"By we was she referring to the whole group or just the two boring billionaires." Bruce laughed. "I think she's definitely good for you Ollie. I'm glad we are friends."

"Yes if not for her you probably would have wasted years away before finding Andrea. Going from one woman to the next who would have never understood you, at least not the way she can." Oliver said as the two friends left the room.

7 hours and 50 minutes later

The large group of family and friends slowly made their way out onto the patio. They had enjoyed a wonderful meal followed by dancing and toasts to family and friends. The couples walked together hand in hand while Martha, Gabe and Alfred talked together. They were all just getting settled to watch the fireworks show that would begin soon when they heard a loud gasp.

Lana stood in her slinky sparkling dark purple dress with a hand to her mouth while Pete kneeled before her gently holding her left hand. Pete was smiling widely while Lana had a small smile and tears in her eyes.

"Lana, I know we've only been dating for a few months but they have been the best months of my life. I knew I was falling in love with you the day I saw you stubbornly painfully walk to your friend's side when you knew they needed you. I fall more in love with each passing day although I don't know how when you already have my heart and soul. You have become my best friend and the only woman I could ever think of spending my life with. Lana Lang, will you marry me?" Pete asked softly holding up a beautiful antique white gold ring with a princess cut diamond.

Lana launched herself at him knocking him onto his back as she began kissing him feverishly. Everyone laughed including Pete as he slowly pulled back from her. "Can I take that as a yes?"

"YES! Yes to eternity yes. I love you so much Pete." Lana said crying while he slid the ring on her finger. Pete kissed her again just as the fireworks began shooting off.

"Aww they are so cute." Lois said with a tear in her eye turning to kiss Clark passionately causing everyone to stare at them.

"Does this mean they are officially dating?" Oliver leaned down to Chloe wrapping his arms around her as she leaned into him.

"I must they haven't pulled up for air yet." Chloe said kissing Oliver softly.

All over the patio the couples began kissing ignoring the fireworks. Martha, Alfred, Gabe and Victor briefly looked at the couples before turning their attention to the fireworks.

From a darkened room, far away from the couples as man sat quietly staring at a display of multiple TV screens. The walls around him were peppered with pictures of a beautiful blonde pregnant woman. In his hand was a lock of golden hair and a scarf once worn by the woman. He smiled happy that his henchman had been able to infiltrate the set up crew and plant the many small video devices in the ballroom and on the patio. He had watched his angel glow the entire evening as she chatted with her friends and family, as she danced, even as she stared at the fireworks. He ignored the man that was always by her side pretending it was him holding her, kissing her, dancing with her. The man stood, walking over to the largest TV screen. His hand ghosted of the image of her cheek while he whispered. "Soon my love, you will be back where you belong soon."

AN: I hope everyone likes it so far. I'm desperate for reviews or ideas. Tell me if you like it. What you like about it and if there's anything you think might need to be added. Anyways laptop is still in the shop and its ridiculously hard to pry a laptop with internet access away from someone i know. Enjoy and Please, please please review.