I am getting ready for work, giving Hannah her breakfast.
Hannah: "Mommy, who is watching me today?"
Elizabeth: "Uncle Tommy. He will be here soon, honey."
Just then, Tommy walks in.
Tommy: "Hey, I'm here."
Hannah: "Uncle Tommy!"
Hannah gets up and jumps into Tommy's arms.
Tommy: "Hey there cookie monster."
He lifts her up and kisses her cheek as she giggles. He sets her on her feet.
Tommy: "Go play in your room for a while, little monster; I need to talk with your mom. Okay, Hannah?"
Hannah: "Okay, Uncle Tommy."
She runs up to her room and I look at my brother, confused as to what he is talking about. He looks nervous as he looks toward me.
Elizabeth: "Tommy, what's wrong?"
Tommy: "So you haven't seen the news today; good. I wanted you to hear it from me first. Elizabeth, Oliver is alive. He was in the hospital last night and just got home this morning."
I fall back into my chair, completely shocked.
Elizabeth: "Are you serious? Oliver is back?"
Tommy: "Yeah, dad wants us to join him and the Queen family for a welcome home dinner, tonight."
Elizabeth: "That's wonderful news."
I look down as I nervously rub my hands together.
Tommy: "Hey, Ellie, are you okay?"
Elizabeth: "Yeah, I'm alright. It's just, now I have to think about how I'm supposed to tell him about Hannah. I can't keep her a secret from him. She knows who her father is. He doesn't even know that I was ever pregnant. Tommy, what am I supposed to do? He just got back. What if he doesn't even want Hannah at all?"
Tommy hugs me and shushes me, while petting my hair to soothe me.
Tommy: "It's okay. Maybe, we should leave Hannah with Stephanie for the night, and tell Oliver about Hannah, tomorrow or if we think he can handle it, tonight. If we decide it is okay to tell him about her, tonight, we can have Stephanie bring her to the Queens' house. As for whether or not he will want Hannah, he's gonna love her, like the rest of us. You have nothing to worry about. If he doesn't, I'll knock some sense into him."
Elizabeth: "Alright, thank you, Tommy."
Tommy: "No problem, Ellie. I'll let Dad, Moira, Walter, and Thea know not to tell him about Hannah."
I give him one last hug and then go hug and kiss Hannah, before I leave for work.
~Time Skip~
I arrive back at my penthouse, while Stephanie went home to change before she comes over. When I open the door, Hannah runs up to me.
Hannah: "Hi mommy!"
Elizabeth: "Hey honey. How was your day with Uncle Tommy?"
Hannah: "It was fun!"
Tommy: "Yeah, we had so much fun. So, is Stephanie coming?"
Elizabeth: "Yes, she wanted to go home and change first. She'll be over in about half an hour."
Tommy: "Cool, you can go get ready while I stay out here with this little monster."
He and Hannah run into the living room, while I go get ready. Once I am done, I walk into the living room to see Stephanie.
Elizabeth: "Hey, Steph. Where is Tommy?"
Stephanie: "Getting ready in the guest room."
Elizabeth: "Alright."
All of a sudden, my phone rings. I look at the caller ID to see it is my father. I answer the phone.
E: Hey dad. I'm about to go to the Queens'
M: Hi sweetheart, I can't come tonight, I have a lot of work. Apologize to the Queens' for me
E: Alright, I will
Then he hangs up and Tommy comes out.
Tommy: "Hey, who was that?"
Elizabeth: "Dad."
Tommy: "Not coming?"
Elizabeth: "Yup."
Tommy: "Let's get going."
We say goodbye to Hannah and Stephanie, before we go to the Queen household.
We walk in and see Oliver looking at a photo.
Tommy: "What'd I tell you, yachts suck."
Oliver turns around with a smile on his face as he looks at us.
Oliver: "Tommy and Elizabeth Merlyn."
The two of them hug and then I get my turn to hug him. He escorts us into the dining room where we are greeted by his family. As I hug Moira, she whispers in my ear.
Moira: "How is Hannah?"
Elizabeth: "Happy and loving life."
She smiles and then we take our seats. Tommy is starting to fill Oliver in on the last 5 years of things.
Tommy: "Super Bowl winners: Giants, Steelers, Saints, Packers, Giants again. A black president, that's new. Oh and Lost, they were all dead, I think. Oh, yeah, Elizabeth had a baby 4 years ago."
Oliver: "Wait, Elizabeth, you had a baby?"
I slightly look at Tommy, with a glare.
Elizabeth: "Yes, her name is Hannah."
Oliver: "Why didn't you bring her? I would love to meet Hannah."
Elizabeth: "Maybe next time. I didn't want you to be overwhelmed on your first night home. She's with a babysitter right now."
Then Thea cuts in, to change the subject.
Thea: "What was it like, for you, on that island?"
Oliver: "Cold."
Tommy tells Oliver that they are going out together tomorrow.
Elizabeth: "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
Moira nods and I leave the table. As I come out of the bathroom, I accidentally bump into Oliver and he puts his hands on my hips to keep me steady. I look up into his eyes.
Elizabeth: "Excuse me, I'm sorry, Oliver."
Oliver: "It's okay. Are you alright, Liz?"
Elizabeth: "Yeah, I'm fine."
Oliver: "Come upstairs with me. I just want to talk to you in private for a minute."
Elizabeth: "Alright."
I follow him up to his room. He gestures me in and I sit on his bed. He walks over and sits beside me.
Oliver: "Is something wrong? You seem stressed."
Elizabeth: "It's nothing, Oliver, I'm okay. Just wondering if I should get a dog or something to protect Hannah whenever I'm not with her."
Oliver: "Why would she need one? What about her father? Have you asked him?"
Elizabeth: "He hasn't been around since before I found out I was pregnant with Hannah."
Oliver: "Wait, you've been on your own while running a company and taking care of a child?"
Elizabeth: "Yeah. Tommy, my dad, and your family have been very helpful though. Most of the time, when I have work or events, Tommy babysits Hannah for me. I haven't had to get a babysitter. She has even come to work with me a couple times."
Oliver: "You look like you need to relax for at least a day. Maybe you would like to join me and Tommy tomorrow?"
Elizabeth: "I would love to, but I really can't. I have to help plan an event that is in 2 weeks."
Oliver: "You have 2 weeks, are you behind at all?"
Elizabeth: "No, we are about 2 days ahead."
Oliver: "Then I insist you join us. I'll find someone to watch Hannah for you."
Elizabeth: "I don't know, Oliver. I really should go to the office."
He takes my hand and kisses it.
Oliver: "Please Liz."
I let out a sigh and smile gently.
Elizabeth: "Alright. I'll ask Moira if she is okay with watching Hannah."
He smiles, then there's a knock at the door, and Tommy walks in.
Tommy: "Hey, Ellie, are you ready to go?"
Elizabeth: "Yeah, just gotta talk to Moira before we leave."
I look back to Oliver and kiss his cheek.
Elizabeth: "Goodbye, Ollie, I'll see you tomorrow."
Oliver: "Bye Liz, Tommy. I'll see you both tomorrow."