Coming home to dl_greenarrow and <lj site="livejournal.com" user=

[chloesullivan]

Chloe got home a little later than she'd been expecting to, she had expected to be there nearly two hours ago and she was relieved Oliver was living with them now and felt comfortable enough to stay with Maddie, but she didn't want to abuse him or even for Maddie to get too attached to him only for them to have to go their separate ways again.

She had missed dinner time and she was glad she had bathed Maddie before she left for her work meeting and the to go see Lois, which had turned into her seeing Clark instead, but it was almost Maddie's bedtime and she couldn't help but wonder how behind on her schedule her daughter would be.

With a deep breath, Chloe unlocked the door and stepped inside, stilling when she saw her daughter leaning sleepily against Oliver even as she colored whatever drawing that was in front of her. Chloe took a deep breath and pursed her lips together, for someone who had never had a father figure in her life, Maddie seemed to like having him around a lot.

"Hey," she said quietly, "sorry I'm late."

Comments

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe smiled and hugged Maddie back for a second before reaching down and picking her up, hugging her to her chest, "hey honey," she told her quietly, kissing her cheek, "did you have fun today?"

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver held his breath as he rose to his feet, wondering what the girl's answer would be. He wasn't even sure why it mattered to him that she answered in the affirmative, it just was.

[ifeelittoo.livejournal.com]

"Yes!" She said, bouncing a little in her mom's arms, "we made cookies and then we ate and then uncle Ollie played with me and then I got on my pajamas and then we were coloring!"

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe smiled and nodded glancing at Ollie then back at her daughter, "sounds like an eventful day."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"We stayed busy," he told her with a grin, looking from Maddie to Chloe, and rubbing the back of his neck.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"I can see that," she told him, smiling softly then looking back at Maddie, "and it looks like I made it just on time for bedtime, did you brush your teeth?"

[ifeelittoo.livejournal.com]

"Not yet," she told her mom, wiggling to get down then rushing down the hallway.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver watched her go, raising his eyebrows. "You know, I heard most kids hate brushing their teeth."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Well, I made it entertaining for a while, she grew into it," Chloe admitted, smirking a little, "there is even a song, and no, I'm not singing it to you."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"And if I refuse to brush my teeth if you won't?" he joked, smiling a little.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Cute," she smirked, arching her eyebrows a little then her face softened, Oliver looked a lot more relaxed than she'd seen him since he got into the city, "thanks for watching her, really," she said sincerely, she hadn't felt this comfortable with leaving Maddie with anyone since Veronica.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"It's not a problem," he said honestly, his own expression softening. "She's a great kid. And I think she's going to be quite an artist." He reached down and picked up the picture they'd been coloring of Cookie Monster and Big Bird. "Check it out."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"See I always thought I was biased because I'm her mom," Chloe said, smiling softly at him then taking the drawing, "but I don't think many three year olds are this color-coordinated."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"Cookie Monster was all her," he informed her with a grin.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"And Big Bird was all you?" She asked, smirking softly.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He smirked back at her, then rolled his eyes, holding the picture out to her. "She wanted to color it for you."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Yellow is her favorite color," Chloe told him, taking the picture and looking down at it then smiling at him, "it means a lot that she gave you Big Bird."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He raised his eyebrows a little at that. "Really?" His voice was quieter than it had been a moment before.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe arched her eyebrows and nodded at him, smiling a little more then looking over at Maddie as she walked back into the room.

[ifeelittoo.livejournal.com]

"Done, mommy," Maddie said, rubbing her hand over her face then holding her arms up for her mom.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver smiled softly at Maddie as Chloe picked her up. "Thanks for hanging out with me today, Kiddo."

[ifeelittoo.livejournal.com]

Maddie smiled at him and held out her hand, "mommy will read a story, you can come with us," she offered.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver looked from her to Chloe hesitantly. "I should probably let you and your mom spend some time together," he said softly. After all, they were a family.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"It's okay, Ollie," she assured him, rubbing her hand over Maddie's back gently, she knew Maddie would be out soon and if that's what she wanted, she wasn't going to say no, especially considering how much Oliver had done for her today.

"Come on, kid. Bedtime." Chloe told her, nodding at Oliver then starting toward Maddie's room.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment, then slowly followed them down the hall, hesitating in the doorway as he watched Chloe tuck Maddie into bed.