Author's note: Sorry this is a bit late... life got in the way... there are 3 chapters today then we start to dive into the bag guys and all... I promise you will love it... also there is a full chapter of SmoaknLance for those who have been asking for it
so enjoy and review
As always thanks to my incredible beta warehouseluver13 for all the insight and help
Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow but loved the Constantine episode
"Can I help you?" Thea asked as a young man stepped into her office.
"I hope so. I'm looking for Ms. Donna Smoak."
"She's in my storage room right now. Can I help?" Thea asked, curious as to why someone who looked almost her age would be looking for Donna.
"No. I have a delivery and a message for her."
"Delivery?" Thea wondered as she looked at the young man's empty hands.
The delivery guy must have picked up on it and explained. "It's in my truck. As part of the order, I was told that if I couldn't find her here to try another address. I didn't see unloading it if she wasn't here."
Thea nodded her head in agreement. "How about you go get it and meet us at the bar. I'll get her from the back room."
"Thanks." The man smiled as he turned and ran out the room. Thea followed shortly after.
Donna was just finishing up with the inventory for the week's end. She had been making sure the shelves were properly filled so that they wouldn't need to call the suppliers for more product until next week. "Donna?"
"Back here Thea. Okay Nate, that's good for now. How about you take lunch and when you get back, you can finish unloaded all these boxes. Then make sure the shelves at the bar are set up for tonight."
"Sure thing, Ms. Smoak. Would you like me to pick you up something while I'm out?"
"No thanks Nate. I have plans."
"Lunch date?" Thea grinned as she moved to the aisle of shelves Donna and Nate had been talking near
"Nope just meeting up with a friend. I think I may have a date for dinner though. Except he hasn't asked yet but he usually calls around this time of day and asks so." Donna shrugged and watched Nate leave.
"Wow! That's the third one this week. Didn't you have a dinner date Tuesday with your guy?"
"Yes. To both your questions."
"So things are serious between you two? I mean you have been seeing this guy now for almost two months. Don't you think it's time we get to meet him? I have to say we are all curious as to who it is."
"We haven't really talked about it. Mostly we have just been enjoying our time together. But you're right. I really like this guy. He's different than the guys I've dated in the past. Smart, funny, and has his life together. I'm just worried that our families won't think the idea of us together is so great."
"Take it from a girl who's dad is a psycho, who's mom tried to help him blow this town up and who's brother has a very interesting hobby. Don't worry about what others will think. If he makes you happy, than that's all that should matter. Your families will come around in the end because they'll see he makes you happy and you do the same for him. You do right?"
"I hope so. Like I said we haven't really talked about it." Donna smiled but her tone showed the lack of confidence she had in the situation. The two had slowly started to make their way out of the storage room. "Now what did you need me for?"
"I came to tell you you have a delivery. Come on." Thea waved her on as they started for the bar.
When they turned the corner and came into view of the bar, the delivery guy was back and was standing next to it but what was sitting on the bar next to him was what made both of their jaws drop open. Resting just at the end of the free formed bar was the most gorgeous arrangement of flowers either of them had ever seen. It was a mixture of cream, peach, bright pink and lavender colors. The flowers were roses of different sizes and colors as well as some peonies. It was beautiful. The bouquet rested atop a gift box.
The delivery guy looked up as the two gasped at the flowers and smiled. "Donna Smoak?"
"Yes." Donna stepped forward towards the young man.
The young man smiled as he turned towards the gifts. "I have a special delivery for you. Now it came with specific instructions. First these." He handed her the flowers and she wrapped them up in her arm. She stuck them just below her nose and breathed in their sweet aroma. "There's a card." Donna smiled and pulled the card loose. She chuckled softly as she read it.
Join me for dinner?
"Always straight to the point that man." Donna laughed. She looked towards the gift box on the bar and smiled.
"You have to say yes or no first."
"But he's not here. How will he know?"
"He said that if you say yes, give this to you. If you say no, return it to him."
"Well of course I'll say yes. That man can be so silly." Donna laughed again. Thea had stepped up beside her and took the flowers, curious as to what was in the box.
The delivery guy handed her the box and smiled. "Good choice. He was really nervous you wouldn't say yes. He told me to tell you there is a note with this one too but no response needed. He would get it in person tonight. Enjoy." Thea reached in her pocket to tip the guy but he waved it off. "He already took care of that as well." With that the delivery guy left.
Donna moved towards the bar and sat the box back on it. Thea stepped beside her and peeked around to try and see what was in the gift. "He has never done anything like this. I mean, this is so sweet and thoughtful, right?"
"Yeah. But I don't even know the guy's name so not sure if he has done it in the past. So what did he give you?"
Donna lifted the lid to find a card that matched the rose wrapping on the outside of the box, sitting nestled in pink tissue paper. She lifted the note and read it.
Donna,
6 weeks ago I sat, for the first time in decades, in a cafe waiting for a woman to show for coffee. I hadn't really been on a date in years and had no idea what to expect. What to say. What to do.
Then a gorgeous woman in pink came through the door and changed my world. Next thing I knew, it had been hours and all I wanted to do was stay right where I was.
For weeks, I asked her out, praying she wouldn't change her mind and walk away from me. But she surprised me each time by saying yes. Now I look forward to seeing her more than anything else in my life. My days are happier and brighter with her in them. It has been a pleasure getting to know her and I wouldn't change a single moment of it.
Please say you will do me the honor and wear this tonight? I can't wait to see you in it.
Quentin
"Lance?! That's who you've been seeing?" Thea shouted as Donna swooned over the note. Donna pulled it quickly to her chest in an attempt to try and hide it but it was too late. Thea had glanced over her shoulder and read along with her. "Seriously? Wow!"
"Thea, I can explain."
Thea laughed and shook her head. "Donna there's no need. Lance is a good guy. Yeah he and Ollie didn't see eye to eye much in the last few years. That's because of how Ollie treated Laurel in the past and what happened with Sara. That's all in the past. I know he is a good guy. I know he cares for this city and wants it to be better just like all of us and I know he cares and worries about us as well. Not just his daughters but all of us. He may whine about the masks running town but he knows we are doing good and is willing to help and protect us whenever we need it."
Donna huffed out a breath and sat down on a nearby bar stool. "I know that this is a shock. I didn't mean for it to go this long without saying something. We started out just trying to get to know each other. But as time went on, I started to really fall for him and then I got worried because I knew you guys would all be shocked by it but I was worried how Laurel and Sara and Felicity and Oliver would respond to it. I mean they all have a very complicated relationship and this could just make it worse. And what if it doesn't work out? I didn't want to cause a rift in the team so I asked him to hold off telling you guys. He has wanted to since our first dinner date but I keep telling him not yet. Hoping it won't cause him to give up on us."
Thea sat down next to her and reached over to her. "Donna, all that should matter is two things, does he make you happy and do you make him happy. If you can say yes and so can he then the rest will all work out. Yes the team will be shocked. Yes Ollie may be a bit of a pain about it. But in the end, you will have the support of all of us as you two figure out what this all is. As far as working out and not working out, are you willing to fight for him?" Donna nodded her head in agreement. "Then fight. If it doesn't work out, it will be for a very good reason and we will all understand. We've all had relationships that others disagreed upon but we always support each other. We only want everyone happy. And if you are anything like you were when you read his notes when you're with Lance, he makes you happier than I have ever seen. That doesn't mean much since I have only known you a couple months but I think Lis would agree. You always have a smile on your face these days."
"That's because we talk. A lot. Like all day long. It's nice that I actually have someone to tell things to and who wants to hear them. I never had that before. Not even with Christian. Quentin is completely different than any guy I ever dated or married before. He is an actual man. He cares about me. I can tell. I just don't know how much."
"Well how about we see what he sent you then we get you ready to go see your man?"
Donna chuckled as she pulled back the tissue paper. A sharp gasp was all that could be heard out of the two women as Donna lifted the fuchsia dress that was found inside the gift. It was a short spaghetti strap cocktail dress. It had a low v cut in the front that dropped between her breasts. The cups were embellished in crystals and gave the dress a shine. Just below them, the satin fabric crisscrossed across the abdomen of the dress then feed into the skirt. The skirt was an a line design that was made to look like multiple layers sewn together it stopped just above the knees and gave way to show off her long stunning legs.
"Wow! You are going to be a looker in that!" Thea exclaimed.
Donna laughed. She loved it. Not only because it came from Lance or because was the first time a man had bought her a dress like this. But because it was exactly the type of dress she would have bought for herself. The color, the style, the length… it was perfectly her. "l love it but how… how did he do this? How did he know my size and everything?"
Thea shrugged and laughed. "He's a cop. Details are his thing. Now, we need to get you ready and I have just the jewels to wear with that. Come on."
"Thea, about me and Quentin. I do plan on telling everyone. Well Sara already knows."
"What?! How?"
"Not really sure on the how but she gave me a look at Felicity's Bachelorette party that told me she knew. Anyway, what I was saying was, I plan on telling you guys. I just need to figure a few things out first okay?" Donna gave her a gaze that showed Thea all the worry and concern this woman had about her daughter finding out about the relationship from someone other than her.
Thea nodded and stated, "It's okay. Your secret is safe with me. Now that's go get you drop dead gorgeous for the good captain." Giggles could be heard as the two moved out of the bar and to Donna's house.
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A knock at the door caused Donna's heart to jump. She ran her hands down the dress one last time, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles on it. She flipped her hair and moved it in place then checked her reflection in the mirror. She glanced over her makeup, satisfied with the end result, then she gathered up her cloak and clutch and opened the door.
Lance was standing in the doorway, a single pink rose in hand, a smile growing across his face as he took in her person. She was in fact in the dress he had sent her along with a pair of satin and crystal pumps. Thea had stopped by the family vault and found a set of jewelry that had pearl cherry blossoms on each piece; ring, bracelet, earrings, and necklace. She was wearing those as well. She had her tan cloak in her arm along with her pink crystal clutch. Lance scanned over every inch of her slowly, soaking in every curve and cloth draped inch of her.
"Wow! Donna you look… just... Wow!"
"Thank you, Quentin. Thea got a hold of me and dolled me up a bit but I did love the dress you sent."
"Well I'm glad. Never went dress shopping before so that was a new experience. I'm just glad you liked it."
"I love it. It's the same color as the one I wore for our coffee date that first time."
"I know. That's why I chose it. It reminded me of that day. The color pink always seems to remind me of you now." He held out the single rose for her and she smiled at the color. "I take it you like the flowers as well?"
"Very much so. See?" Lance looked inside the apartment to see the flowers he had sent earlier that day resting in a vase in the middle of her living room coffee table. "Unfortunately Thea did read the note that came with the dress and she knows about us. She promised not to say anything to anyone about it though."
"Would it be a bad thing if people found out?"
"Yes. I mean no! I mean it would if others told everyone and not us. Quentin, we need to be the ones to tell our kids and family and friends about us. I just started building back the relationship I have with my daughter this last year. I don't want to lose that. And getting to know Oliver and Thea and the rest of them, how they have all taken me into the family. I finally am some place in my life where I am happy and feel loved. It has been a very long time since that has happened."
"Me too. I have a great relationship with both my daughters which I didn't think would ever be possible again a few years ago. And I love my job, most days, and what life here is like now. Especially with you." Lance smiled as he stepped up to her and placed his hands high on her arms.
"Then you get why we have to be the ones to tell them. If they hear it from someone else or stumble across it then they will feel hurt and we could lose them. Understand?"
Lance nodded as he had wanted nothing more for weeks. Sneaking around and hiding the fact that they were seeing each other had bothered him for weeks now and he had wanted to come clean but she had requested more time to make sure it was the right time. A request he was happy to give in to if it meant making her happy. "Donna, I'm not saying don't tell them. I want to. And I know they need to hear it from us before anyone else tells them. What I am saying is why don't we finally tell them? It's been weeks and we are getting closer to each other each day. I haven't been this happy in years and I hope you feel the same."
"I do."
"Then we should tell them. We care for each other and they will see that and they'll support it."
"I know. I do care for you. A lot. But I'm just worried that they may not be ready for us to be together. It's one thing when your parents are dating. It's a whole other thing when they're dating you friends parents."
"Donna, I like you. Actually I think I may be falling in love with you. Now I have only said that to three other women in my life, my ex-wife and my two daughters. But I love you and I want to be with you. If our kids can't support that after we supported them and their relationships then that is their problem." Lance watched as Donna's face molded from a look of shock and awe to one of such tenderness and compassion. His heart stopped at that moment.
"I love you too Quentin. And you're right. Okay so we'll tell them. Uh when?"
"Well how about we have them all over for dinner this weekend? I can make my lasagna and we will sit down to a family dinner. The whole team. Oliver, Felicity, Connor, Thea, Sara, Laurel, Nyssa. Even the Diggles. We'll have them all over and tell them all at once. Well expect Thea will already know. And Sara."
"So she does know." Donna chuckled.
"Yeah she cornered me a few weeks back and figured it out. Guess we weren't too subtle." Lance shrugged.
"I don't know. I mean my daughter is a super hacker and can find anything she wants to on the internet. My son-in-law has spent years seeing straight through people. Your daughter is the District Attorney. And their friends all help fight crime in this city and the only one that figured it out on their own is Sara. Thea only knew because she read the note that you signed. She would never had known if you hadn't done that." Lance blushed and started to rub nervously at the back of his neck. Donna picked up on that and quickly added, "Which I loved by the way. That note and the whole gesture was so sweet. I've never had a guy do anything like that for me."
"Just trying to sweep you off your feet. That is something that guys still try to do right?"
"Not really but girls love it. And I did too." Donna leaned up and pecked his lips, a slight hue of pink staying behind after she moved away. "Now how about we get to dinner? We can talk about our plans for this weekend and how everything will go for the dinner."
"I like that idea very much." Lance smiled,happy that he finally gets to show off the woman he loves to the family that means so much to him and not hide it anymore.
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"I'm telling you, those girls always had me at my wits end. Whether it was boys, clothes or just random things they never agreed. They would fight and yell but 10 minutes later they were okay again. And if anyone, and I mean anyone, ever tried anything with one or hurt one in any way, the other was right there beating the hell out of them. I was surprised Oliver had the balls to do what he did and then face my girls afterwards. I still am waiting for the day they take him down for all that mess. I know they have moved on but still I know deep down they always wanted to." Lance laughed as he pulled up into the parking garage and pulled his car into the slot next to Donna's.
They had just finished of a wonderful evening out including dinner at Lance's favorite Chinese place and a walk in the park. Donna loved the crisp air and the last of the fall leaves showing. Walking arm in arm with Lance had been a pleasure she had thoroughly enjoyed. At first she was tucked around his arm, her cheek pressed into the outside of his shoulder as they walked. As the air nipped at them, she felt his arm pull away only to find its way low around her waist. His hand settled on her hip on the other side and she rolled slightly into his side, pressing her cheek into his chest and sighing contently. She was happy and at peace in that moment. She kept playing the words he had said, while standing in her doorway, over and over again in her head. He had said he loved her. Each time she replayed it, her heart skipped. Can this really be happening? Could an amazing man like him really want her? Donna couldn't fathom it but she knew she wanted it to be real so badly.
Donna laughed along as Lance turned off the car, climbed out and came around to help her out. He then took her hand in his and began to escort her to her apartment, never stopping to ask for permission. She loved how much of a gentleman he truly was. He always opened doors and pulled out chairs for her and never just dropped her off. There had been a few dates recently that ended with some rather heated make out sessions at her doorway. But Lance always saw her to her door and never stayed. Maybe tonight we should change that. Donna though as she peered up at him from the corner of her eyes.
They rode the elevator up to her floor and disembarked after a quiet chime signaled their arrival. Donna fished her keys out of her clutch and was just about to reach to place them in her door when Lance took them from her. He unlocked the door and opened it up, stepping inside and scanning the apartment quickly to ensure it was safe. He then held the door open for Donna to enter, another action that Donna had become accustom to. Lance always worried after her safety and she was beginning to think he would do anything to keep her safe and happy. A thought that warmed her heart since she had never been with someone who put her before themselves.
Lance was still standing by the door, hand holding tightly to the doorknob, as he smiled down at Donna. "I had a lovely time tonight."
"Me too Quentin. I would invite you to stay for a nightcap but I think that would be in bad form. What with you being a recovering alcoholic. Twice over actually. And so not quite sure what to serve you."
"How about a coffee?" Lance asked, not wanting to end the night just yet.
"Coffee I can do!" Donna giggled as she stepped into the kitchen to start the pot. "Make yourself at home." She shouted back at Lance.
Lance shut the door and looked around the space. He had helped her move in and had been over countless times to pick her up and drop her off after dates but never spent a lot of time here. He started to float around the space, soaking in every inch and detail of it. There were photos on the walls, ones of everyone on the team in different aspects of life. There was a large framed photo from the wedding sitting on her mantle. It had everyone that they considered family in it. Both Team Flash and Team Arrow, every member that had been in attendance was in the photo. Everyone was smiling and happy. Lance could even see the warm smile on his own face in the picture.
He was still studying the picture when Donna appeared by his side with two mugs of coffee. "I love that pic. Everyone looks so carefree. I have never seen Felicity so happy before." She pushed a coffee mug towards him. "I wasn't sure if you took anything in it."
"Black is great. And you're right. She has never looked so happy. Oliver either."
"So you've known him a long time?"
"You could say that. I was one of the first cops that arrested him when he started to act up. When he started dating Laurel, I was worried he would drag her down with him. Him and Tommy were always up to something it seemed. Thankfully my daughters are smart. The only time they ever got in any trouble with him was Sara and that boat. But I think it actually was a blessing of sorts. It made him grow up a lot and in a way it brought us together."
Donna cocked her head to the side in confusion at his statement. "How do you figure that?"
"Well…" Lance started as he stepped back and over to the couch. He waited for Donna to settle then sat down himself beside her. "If he hadn't been on that boat, he never would have come back and became the vigilante. He never would have seeked out Felicity's help and let her join his team. They never would have started working along side me and we never would have met. Knowing you and your daughter has been two of the greatest highlights of my last few years, along with getting my baby girl back and seeing Laurel improve herself like she has with the team. At first I was scared for her. I mean, what father wouldn't worry about their daughter fighting criminals every night. But then I saw how much she improved in her fighting over time and what it did for her personally. She is a lot stronger now and not just on the outside. But I like to think that they still need their old man from time to time." Lance laughed as he sipped at his coffee.
"Quentin, your daughters may be older but they will always need their father. I feel sorry for Thea and Felicity because the only true fathers they have left are both not interested in loving them for who they are. The strong, dazzling woman they have become. But it's their loss. Felicity told me the other day that she was glad she had you and Walter and that if she ever needed a dad, she knew she could turn to you two."
"Is that what finally made you want to tell them about us?"
"A bit but mostly it was Thea today. She told me that yeah they would be shocked but if we could support them and be there to help them through all the relationships, whether good or bad, over the years then they should be do the same. If not, then they will miss out on seeing us the happiest we have ever been. And that would be their loss not ours."
"Okay now I know she got all the brains in that family." Lance teased to which Donna playfully smacked him and bit back a giggle. She sat back into his side, his arm instantly wrapping around her shoulders as if it had always done just that. As if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Are you okay with telling them?"
"Of course. I have wanted to for weeks but I wanted you to be ready as well. I didn't want to pressure you either. This is something we both have to want. I want it. I want you."
"Oliver once told me, when Felicity was taken by a bad guy and he was about to push a large amount of drugs into her that would have killed her…"
"The Count. She was taken hostage by the Count in Queen's old office and was bait for him to come save her. I remember that. That was in his second year of their nightly job. Scary night for all of us."
"Yeah she told me." Donna shuddered as she thought about the possibility of losing her daughter that way. "Anyway, he said that he had made a promise to stop killing for Tommy but when faced with losing Felicity, he knew Tommy would forgive him and he didn't think twice about killing the Count. When Felicity asked him about it later he told her something that I really didn't understand until here recently. He told her that there was no choice to make. She thought he was talking about protecting someone he loved but now I get it. He was telling her that she was his choice. That he wanted her. Even back then. Of course, those two being who they are and how they are, it took them a lot longer to straighten everything out. But I now see what he meant when he said that. He had selected her as who he wanted to share his life with."
"Wow! I didn't know that part of the story."
"Yeah Thea, Oliver and Felicity have been filling me in on some of the stories from their first few years of fighting together. It's been fun getting to see that side of my daughter. She even told me about helping you disarm the first earthquake machine. I hated hearing about your demotion but it sounds like it all worked out in the end."
"It did."
"So I just wanted to tell you that I get what Oliver said because I know a choice like that has to come in every relationship and I have made mine as well. I want this too, Quentin. Very much so." Lance smiled down at her as she looked up into his eyes. She leaned up and placed a kiss on his lips that was laced with all the love she felt for him.
When she pulled back for air moments later, she heard a soft sigh and whisper, "I love you."
"I love you too." Donna settled back into his side and yawned a bit.
"I should go and let you get some sleep. Thank you again for a lovely night, Donna." Lance smiled at her as he sat up off the couch.
Donna stood up with him and just as he was starting to move towards the door, she reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Or you could stay?"
"Stay?"
"With me. Tonight." Donna blushed. She felt like a high school girl again. Like this was the first time she was asking a boy to spend the night. She and Lance hadn't really moved that far into their relationship yet because they were taking it slow; really getting to know one another. But Donna was ready.
Lance's jaw fell open as he caught on to what she was saying. At least he hoped it was what she was saying. Whether or not sex would be involved, Donna Smoak had just invited him to share her bed that night and he wasn't sure what to say or do next. There were thousands of ideas flying through his head but he just couldn't settle on a single one. "Are you sure? It's okay if you're not. I won't be offended."
Donna stood in front of him as he turned to look at her. She took a step forward, cupping his right cheek with her left hand as her right hand twined her fingers into his left hand. She stepped into him and pressed against him, ensuring he got the true meaning of her offer. The dress he had selected for her gave him a perfect view from this angle and he felt his throat dry up just as his mouth began to water. He took a moment a hard swallowed around the lump of emotion in his throat. Donna leaned up and softly kissed and nipped at his lips, drawing him down to meet her. "I'm sure." Donna whispered as she slipped away from his lips. She then pulled away from him, his right hand threading off her hip where it had been teasing her. She allowed her left head to drop beside her and she started to walk through her apartment, her right hand still tangled in Lance's left as she guided him up the stairs and to her bedroom.