everyonelives | why is it you always get to sit in the shade

I'm sorry I didn't know.

( She really pulled back. There were ugly words said between all parties. This is the opposite. )

William Queen. Your dad also said.

( She neither confirms nor denies what he's said, leaving the onus on her son. )

Oh. So you guys are really talking.

[That's ... progress? He won't let that deflection sit for too long.]

But yeah. William Queen. We're sort of ...

[It's one thing to say it to other people, it's another to say it to your mom.]

I really care about him.

( Yes, totally. Really, full, three messages worth of talking. This she can talk about. )

Okay. Well, tell me, what's he like.

He's ... really smart. Like when he starts talking tech at me, I have no idea what he's saying but it's super adorable. And ... I feel like he gets me. Which is rare.

[He pauses.]

It's kind of nice, actually.

It sounds nice. When you find that person that gets you, without even having to ask -- it's rare, Cooper.

( It sounds like it's only been a few months so she won't pry further, but she has to say. )

He sounds really special.

Yeah, he is.

[He pauses.]

But you didn't answer my question. I'm having lunch with his dad this afternoon, but I should have time later. We could have coffee or something?

Coffee would be nice.

( Everything being left unsaid may make it seem like she'd missed the invitation, a sliver of son time she does need, but the hunter in her was already finding her son's address. )

How about you have lunch, get to know the Oliver Queen ( and his second wife, the news says ) and then get in touch.

( She's lying. She won't let him get far enough for that, but she hasn't ever been the most forthcoming parent. )

Alright. I'll text you when we're done.

[And after saying the requisite goodbyes, he'll try and catch up to William and the rest, finding his seat next to him at the table.]

Sorry for the delay. My mom called.

( William leans in, taking a bite from a roll. Cooper hasn't mentioned his mother before. It feels good to be let into that side of his life, even if it's slowly. )

What did she want?

Just to check in. She's in town, actually.

[He pauses because while he doesn't want to seem like he's excluding William or keeping him from his mother...]

I might go meet her for coffee after we're done here? I do want you to meet her but I haven't seen her since before Lucas and I think I need to gauge how hard the winds of Hurricane Evelyn are blowing first.

( He definitely waits to swallow that piece of bread before making it clear he doesn't feel like he's being kept apart.

"I get it. I'll be here waiting. Or, out if Mia drags us." He suspects tonight will be about letting loose. (He may have also floated the idea.)

Oliver stands at the head of the table, holding his glass up. )

I wanted to make a toast. To the homecoming we've been waiting for, and to future family, to friends. We don't know what the world will bring us, but we know that we have each other. Even if we aren't on the same continent. Family will always be there.

( The group starts to dig in when there is a knock at the front door, echoing through the manse. )

[Laurel raises an eyebrow before standing to head to the door to answer it.]

Are we expecting anyone else?

[Mia shakes her head, and as Laurel leaves, Cooper looks as though he's having a thought (14). Perhaps even a sixth sense is tingling in the back of his mind that somewhere out there, Something is up. He glances over to his father and raises his eyebrows.

Michael's brow furrows, not picking up what his son is putting down.

Meanwhile, Laurel opens the door.]

Hi. Can I help you?

( "That's never stopped anyone before." Oliver half stands, ready to -- well, something. Be there if need be.

In front of Laurel stands a very capable woman, sanded rough edges and warmth. )

You can. I believe your son means something very special to mine. I'm Evelyn. Cooper said you were all here?

Laurel. Lovely to meet you, Evelyn.

[She smiles, but the smile is a lie. The smile is her wishing she had popcorn with her lunch.

(You know you married an agent of chaos, Oliver, you are not allowed to be surprised.)]

We were actually just having lunch, if you'd like to join us.

I would, thank you. How kind of you.

( She takes her sunglasses off and rests them on her head stepping into the echoing foyer. )

This is some property.

( She cased it. No big deal. )

I can't take the credit. I married into it.

[She's done some interior design, but it's still Oliver's house and she knows how much control he likes to have over his space. Laurel closes the door behind her and leads the way to the dining room.]

But it's been in the family for a while.

I don't read Architectural Digest, but it's impossible to eye that cover.

( Plus, the casing. )

Am I interrupting?

( She knows full well what she's doing, but being the bull dozer is easier than standing back. It's been months since she's seen her husband and son. It's too easy for her to make this decision. She wasn't always a wrecking ball. Is it okay if she means well? )

[Being the bull dozer is why she and Laurel are going to be best friends. It's fine.

She smiles as they reach the dining room door.]

Not at all.

[She pushes it open, and turns that smile on the rest of the room.]

Guess who I found at the door?

[Both Sullivan men promptly choke on their food.]

Hey honey. Michael. Everyone.

( "Honey," William asks through a mouth full of food.

"You are?" Oliver says, standing in his seat, sending a questioning look to Laurel. But, she's his wife and a (19) has him reading the mischief on her face from the other side of the table.

Evelyn makes herself at home, taking the sunglasses from off her head and closing them in her hands. )

Evelyn. Nice spread.

[It's not that he's not happy to see her. He's always happy to see his mom. She's his mom. But at the same time ...]

Mom. I thought we were having coffee.

[That should answer anyone's questions of how this came to be.]

I smell coffee.

( Does that count? It probably doesn't count. Never the less. )

I told you I was in the neighborhood, honey.

( Star City, to be more precise.

William finally swallows the bite that, thankfully, didn't lodge itself in his throat from surprise. "That's your mom." The narration, and the room would like to confirm that it is in fact, Cooper's mother. "Do you want coffee? Does she want coffee?" Half-heartedly, he then pushes himself to his feet. Should be the host here? )

You did. But I didn't invite you to someone's house who is not mine.

[Which he wants to make clear, to Oliver. He didn't randomly invite his mother over. She invited herself. He moves to place his hand on William's arm, indicating that he should sit.

"It's okay. There's plenty of lunch to go around." Laurel gestures to one of the empty seats. "Please, help yourself."]

( William decides then and there that Laurel is an agent of chaos, backing down because there's not much he can do for his boyfriend's mother who suddenly shows up.

At a stalemate, and with an invitation, Evelyn takes a seat opposite her husband and the meal continues. It's delicious and just this side of uncomfortable, but she'd rather be uncomfortable in her son's presence than not be there at all. )

Mr. Queen, my compliments to the chef.

( "Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan." )

Please. Evelyn.

( "Evelyn," Oliver repeats, having been brought up right. Gate crashers are people, too.

The conversation moves forward as conversations do. Coffee is poured, as is tension. William smiles, tries to make small talk, but can't shake the awkwardness of her being there at all. He leans in close to Cooper's ear.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to say." )

You can ask me anything, Mr. Queen.

( William's eyes travel from Cooper to Evelyn, who practically grins behind her giant cup of coffee. She's either trying to be friendly or trying to get a rise out of him. Possibly both, he wonders. He also contemplates just how safe it is to actually ask her anything. )

[Cooper's eyes narrow at his mother, before coming to his boyfriend's defense.]

So what are you doing in Star City, Mom?

[Because while he will believe that this is a coincidence, he's curious how this coincidence came to pass.]

I am on a job, honey. You remember those? Before you traded our pickup for covert ops and international travel.

( It was only a matter of time before it was brought up, she just wanted to have a good time, crash a good party and meet her son's... partner? Well, now she might not get the answer to that question. )

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