I'm skipping ahead to Christmas time now.
"Damn, you guys are getting really good at putting the bad guys away. I mean, that's 3 more names in one night." Diggle said as Oliver and Laurel reentered the foundry after another night of hunting.
"I swear, we don't even have to do anything more than show up anymore. Some guys have even just turning themselves in out of fear of us paying them a visit." Oliver said as he put his bow up.
"You guys aren't doing any more hunting tonight?" John asked, since Oliver and Laurel were back sooner than usual.
"Are you kidding, this is the first Christmas in 5 years that Oliver and I actually get to celebrate. We plan on enjoying it." Laurel said as she came out from behind the changing area they'd set up for her for when John was around, having changed out of her suit.
"So vigilantes do take Christmas off?" John asked with a smile.
"Why do you think we've been logging so many hours as the Hood and the Canary since Thanksgiving. We've been trying to knock as many names off the list as possible before we went on holiday break." Oliver said.
"In that case, I gotta go. I'm taking my nephew to see Santa at the mall so he can tell him what he wants for Christmas." John said with a smile.
"Get a picture for us please. That sounds adorable." Laurel said and John chuckled.
"Yes ma'am. So, what are you guys planning on doing for Christmas?" John asked.
"Well, since my sister's birthday happens to be on Christmas, my family usually celebrates Christmas a day early so that Sara can have her birthday all to herself, but I'm not sure if they still do that." Laurel said.
"My dad always used to throw these most extravagant Christmas parties at the mansion. That's actually where Laurel and I had our first kiss." Oliver said.
"Really?" John asked and Laurel smiled.
"Yeah, Oliver and I were 17 at the time. We were just starting to develop feelings for each other and since the Queens already considered me and Sara family, they invited us to the party and the well, Oliver somehow managed to get me to talk to him under the mistletoe and well, I think you can figure out how things went from there." Laurel said.
"So you 2 started dating when you were 17?" John asked.
"Well, we tried dating when we were 17, but that turned into an on again, off again sort of thing. It wasn't until we were 20 that we finally got into a serious relationship." Oliver explained.
"Well, have fun. Call me if you need me." John said as he walked out.
"We'd better get home to, since we need to finish decorating." Laurel said to Oliver, who smiled.
"Let's go." Oliver said as they headed out to.
Laurel was currently hanging stockings above the fireplace of the loft when she heard a knock on the door.
"It's open." Laurel called out.
"Hey Laurel." Thea said as she entered the loft.
"Thea, I heard that you were finally a free woman again. How's it feel?" Laurel asked.
"Feels good, especially without the drugs and the partying. But anyways, I see you guys are going festive." Thea said, since Laurel had turned her apartment into a christmas wonderland.
"Hey, in my defense, I haven't been able to celebrate Christmas in 5 years, so I went a little crazy on the decor." Laurel said.
"A little? Even Santa would say that it's a bit much." Thea said and Laurel rolled her eyes.
"Considering your parents used to have a reputation as the King and Queen of Christmas, I don't think you have much room to talk. Speaking of which, why haven't we heard anything about your family's annual Christmas Party?" Laurel asked.
"Because we haven't celebrated Christmas since before the Gambit went down. After we lost you and Ollie and my dad, we just didn't have much reason to celebrate." Thea said.
"Thea, please don't tell me that Sara stopped celebrating her birthday to. She shouldn't have let my being gone ruin her day." Laurel said.
"Don't worry, she still celebrated. Mostly because she was hoping that using the power of her birthday wish would bring you back. I did the same thing with Ollie." Thea said.
"Well, I guess you're both going to have to find new things to wish we're back." Laurel said as she pulled Thea into her arms.
"Where's Ollie right now?" Thea asked.
"Taking care of a few things down at the club with Tommy, including the plans for Sara's birthday party and then he's picking up our tree." Laurel said.
"You guys are really getting into the Christmas spirit." Thea said.
"Well yeah. I mean, who doesn't love the holidays." Laurel asked.
"Maybe the Vigilantes?" Thea said.
"I'm sure that even vigilantes take Christmas off. Now anyways, is there a reason you came down here or did you just want to help me decorate." Laurel asked.
"Actually, there is something I needed to talk to you about. Sister to sister." Thea said.
Laurel smiled as she and Thea walked over to the couch.
"Did you meet a boy?" Laurel asked.
"Yeah, he's a few years older than me and we actually met when he stole my purse." Thea said and Laurel chuckled.
"And let me guess, you spent the following few days trying to track him down, claiming that it was to get your purse back, but really, you just couldn't get him out of your head?" Laurel asked with a smile.
"Exactly." Thea said.
"When exactly did this happen?" Laurel asked.
"A few days ago. I was waiting for you to get on your break at CNRI, since we'd made lunch plans for my first day of freedom since mom lifted my grounding." Thea explained before Laurel could ask her what she was doing in the Glades.
"So that's why you were so out of breath." Laurel remembered.
"Yeah, but anyways, I tracked him down earlier today and got him to give me back my purse, but honestly, I still can't get him out of my mind. Any suggestions?" Thea asked.
"What's his name?" Laurel asked.
"I think it's Roy Harper? Why?" Thea asked.
"I'm sure I could convince Ollie to give Roy a job at the club. It might give you an excuse to spend time with him." Laurel said.
"Laurel, I'm trying to get away from the club scene." Thea reminded her.
"I know, but Verdant is still looking for an assistant manager. Considering your experience with the club scene and your love of barking orders, I might be able to convince Oliver to give you the job. That would mean you'd have to spend a lot of time with him." Laurel said.
"You really are a master of manipulation." Thea said.
"How else do you think I got Oliver to settle down with me? By the way, tell your parents that we're having a little birthday dinner for Sara on the 25th and you guys are more than welcome to join us if you want." Laurel said.
"Who else will be there?" Thea asked.
"Me, Ollie, Sara and Tommy. It'll be here." Laurel said and Thea nodded.
"I'll tell them." Thea said as she hugged Laurel before leaving.