Epilogue

The drive to Smallville had been fairly quiet, as they both took in the scenery around them. For Chloe, this place would always remind her of home, but for Oliver, this was still pretty new to him, as they had only made the trek once before for Christmas. It didn't help that Oliver was still figuring out why he was driving Chloe to the Kent farm at all. For while an invite had been extended to him, Oliver was seriously considering declining it. It wasn't as if he wanted to spend New Year's Eve apart from Chloe, but he knew how important this night was to Chloe, Clark, and Lois.

Hearing Chloe give him the next instruction for getting to the Kent farm, he grinned before obliging, but based on how intently she was staring at him, Oliver had a feeling the silence wasn't going to last.

"You're not getting cold feet on me, are you?" Chloe asked, tired of watching him silently talk himself out of tonight, solidified by his neutral expression that she could see right through.

Oliver sighed as he saw the farm coming into view, figuring that it was only a matter of time before this conversation began. "I talked with Lois about this… she may have implied how big of a deal this is."

"So was meeting my mom… along with coming out to the world as a couple. There have been a lot of big deals since we've met. In fact, I think we got a lot of the big deals out of the way."

"But this is about family for you; this is… your tradition." On her birthday, one of the conversations they covered was holidays. They had scoffed over the stupidity of Valentine's Day, grinned over the intrigue of Halloween, but Oliver would never forget the way her face lit up when she told him stories about what New Year's Eve meant to her.

In the end, it was Clark, Lois and I against the world. We could crash and burn a minute later, but in that moment, everything felt possible.

Christmas was easy, there were more people with Mrs. Kent and Perry White coming to town, and even Lois' sister Lucy came to visit with her new boyfriend. But tonight... this was something he didn't want to interrupt or possibly tarnish.

Seeing the way his head dipped after pulling the car into park, Chloe looked outside the window, memories coming to mind as she realized what was going on. "Lois told you that Jimmy never came, didn't she?"

"More along the lines of no guys had ever come," Oliver clarified. Seeing that she was still looking away from him, yet still in the car, he reached across to take her hand in his. "I'm glad you want me here, but we've only been dating three months."

Chloe chuckled before pointing out. "I guess Lois didn't tell you that Jimmy has been the only guy I've dated over the holidays." It wasn't like Chloe's dance card was ever full, but she also knew that she used to feel hesitant about dating a guy over the holidays. And sure, Chloe knew that they hadn't been dating long, but that had nothing to do with the reason she wanted him here tonight. Seeing Oliver shake his head at her last comment, Chloe nodded slightly. "To me, the holidays are about spending time with the people you care about... and for me, that includes you." Squeezing his hand tighter, feeling their fingers interlace, Chloe glanced back at Oliver. "I'm not leaving the car until you do."

Leaning towards her, Oliver whispered into her ear. "I may not mind this arrangement."

Chloe's eyebrows rose at that comment, noticing how his stare had darkened significantly. However, as tempting as that particular offer was, she knew this wasn't the place.

"With Lois watching and tapping on the windows?" she asked, causing Oliver to laugh as his face pulled away from her. However, Chloe was quick to cover their hands with her other hand. "I know I've told you this, but we started this tradition so that we started the year with people we could rely on." Shaking her head, she added, "Jimmy and I... we split Christmas and Christmas Eve between our families, but there was no way I was starting the year with his family. Just one of many signs I missed over the years."

Oliver's mouth gaped open, as the last thing he wanted was to bring up bad memories. "Chloe –"

"The reason that I want you here isn't because you don't have family either." She smiled at him, bringing her hand up to cradle the side of his face, reminding her of how Oliver once told her that he was afraid that this whole thing was going to end badly. He probably knew that he wasn't alone in that idea, but Chloe knew that she had to give him this reminder. "Before this... before you...I always thought that I was giving myself false hope by spending New Year's with a guy. I kept assuming the worst case scenario, but I don't want to do that anymore."

She released his hand to undo her seatbelt, allowing her to move the remaining distance to kiss him softly. "I believe in us… and that includes letting you join us tonight." Looking at him, Chloe knew that the decision was his, that there wasn't much else she could tell Oliver, but she had hoped that it would be enough.

As she pulled away, she wanted to look back at him before opening her car door, but she didn't. She flung her purse over the shoulder, waiting for the inevitable click of the driver door opening. Thankfully, Oliver didn't wait too long to do just that.

They met each other at the front of the car, their eyes meeting in understanding before Chloe took Oliver's hand and they walked in unison towards the farmhouse. They had arrived at the door together, but before they had a chance to knock, Lois opened it wide. "Good, you're here. I was just about to break up the coitus."

"Lois," Chloe said as she rolled her eyes. "We were just talking."

"Sure," Lois replied, clearly unconvinced. "Whatever you say."

Oliver laughed at the interaction, taking off his shoes and deciding that it was probably best to at least try to help now that he was here. "I'll see if Clark needs help in the kitchen."

"That I have little doubt on," Lois called out before Oliver turned the corner. Based on her cousin's boyfriend's cooking skills, it would probably be a welcome improvement to the New Year's festivities. However, Lois immediately turned to Chloe, her smile wide as she gave her a hug. "Told you he'd come."

Chloe grinned as she returned the hug, saying as she backed away, "No thanks to you telling him that I had never invited any guy to join us."

Lois frowned as she looked over her shoulder, not realizing what she had done. "I thought he'd take it as a good thing, not a reason to be a party pooper. I mean, he was fine at Christmas."

Chloe sighed, as she hadn't meant that comment as a guilt trip, but she realized that she could have phrased that better. Because she actually understood why Oliver hesitated. Lois knew that it had been ages since Chloe had a decent relationship, but it had been even longer for Oliver. There was a part of Chloe that was convinced that he thought he didn't know how to be in a relationship, so sometimes he tried too hard to ensure that everything was okay.

"I won't lie and say that it didn't surprise me initially, but Christmas was different." Lois had turned her head back towards Chloe, ready to say something, but Chloe cut off her cousin's words. "I mean, I would probably think that the invitation was a mistake if he invited me to join him, Leah and Ronnie on some long-time tradition too."

That was valid, but Lois knew that look, the look of her cousin thinking hard as she stared towards the kitchen. It didn't come with the usual side of worry, but that didn't mean Lois could ignore it. "What's bothering you, cuz?"

"Nothing." Her cousin wasn't buying it, and Chloe couldn't blame her. It actually surprised Chloe too. "Really, Lois. It just takes some getting used to."

"What?"

Chloe chuckled, knowing it was going to sound silly, knowing that Oliver had always been this way. "The idea that something I want means that much to someone else." Because that was the whole reason he second-guessed his presence. He wanted her to be happy, and slowly, he was finally realizing that he was a big part of that picture. "I know this isn't... new, but I didn't start appreciating it until recently."

Lois smirked, as she knew that much was true. Chloe had made a lot of changes since Oliver came into her life, and Clark and her were thrilled, but Lois had to be sure that was all Chloe was thinking about. At the end of the day, Lois would always need to be sure that this was what Chloe wanted, and not just what they wanted. "So you're really okay?"

Chloe nodded. "I told him the real reason I wanted him here... and he came." Little hesitation, real enthusiasm in the way he held her while they walked up to the house together, heck, Oliver had already inserted himself into the tradition by offering to help Clark. "Add the fact that you and Clark are here... I couldn't ask for a much better way to end this year."

~0~

Oliver chuckled again as he heard Lois' comment about helping Clark. She always seemed to underestimate her boyfriend's ability to cook, but this was a better place for him to be while the cousins caught up.

Sure, his friendship with Clark hadn't been the easiest initially, but they had come a long way in the last few months. He came to realize a lot of things about the other man, and Oliver liked to think that Clark got to know him too.

Knocking on the wall outside of the kitchen, Oliver grinned as Clark brought up his head. "Hey, can I do anything?"

Clark thought about it for a minute and then pointed towards the counter before going back to stir the pot in front of him. "Mind making up the crust? Everything should be on the counter over there."

"Yeah, sure." Walking over to where the ingredients were, Oliver noticed the old handwritten recipe card for chicken pot pie on the counter. "Your mother's recipe I assume?"

Clark nodded. "I can't make it nearly as well as she does... but it's a tradition."

"That it is," Oliver said, remembering Chloe mentioning all the little details to him. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would ever be here with her, but the longer that this night became a reality, the more grateful he felt that Chloe pushed for him to come.

However, that didn't prepare him for what Clark said next. "I'm glad you came."

"Really?" After measuring the flour, Oliver turned his head to look at Clark, realizing he was being sincere. "To be honest, I almost didn't."

Clark smirked. "Figured that was what was keeping you." Or at least, it made a lot more sense than Lois' theory, something she had ensured that she shared with him at least once a minute since their car had parked.

"Don't get me wrong, I was flattered to be invited, but –"

"I get it, but you should be here." Turning away from the simmering pot, Clark leaned against the counter while Oliver continued to work. "Chloe could have invited anyone she wanted, but she chose not to." In the end, it had always been her choice, something that Oliver had seemed to respect from day one, so the fact he was here, the fact that the hesitation was his all but cemented his best friend's happiness.

"I should know better than to doubt what she wants by now, shouldn't I?" Oliver used to think that was something of the past, but even since they started dating, things weren't always the smoothest. They always seemed to come out ahead, but there was always this hint of worry in Oliver's mind that things could change.

"With you, she breaks all the rules we've been wanting her to for years," Clark said, catching Oliver's attention. "I can't blame you for being surprised by it when I am too." He sighed before adding, "You know that I wasn't your biggest fan, but you treat her well and she makes you a better person. I... think Chloe's finally realizing how to hold onto someone good in her life."

Biting the inside of his lip, Oliver tried to contain his surprise. He had never expected Clark to be this forward with him tonight. "Thanks."

"Well, I won't lie and say that I don't have a selfish motive as to why I want you here tonight."

"Really?"

Clark's lips pursed as he turned off the heat on the stove, moving his pot over to the casserole dish. "It's not the easiest holiday for someone who thinks she's a third wheel, but insists she's fine. Having someone here... helps. And I'm glad it's you."

Oliver sighed, letting the words sink in for a minute. "That means more to me than you know, Clark." Dusting the flour from his hands, Oliver walked over to the sink to wash his hands. "But I think there's something I need to say to her... this should be ready when you are."

"Thanks," Clark replied, glad to see Oliver take that step. It was clear that something was on his mind and Clark knew that when it came to Sullivan-Lane women, it was always best to come clean early.

After a grin, Oliver left the kitchen, soon seeing the cousins sitting in the living room, bantering away. He didn't want to interrupt their conversation, but soon enough, he didn't have to, as Chloe looked up and their eyes met.

"Hey, can we talk for a sec?"

Chloe nodded before getting up from her seat. Oliver gestured towards the front door, knowing that for Kansas winters, tonight's weather was actually quite tolerable. He grabbed both their coats, holding hers in place as she slipped her arms through.

When they got outside, Chloe spoke up first once the door had clicked closed. "Please tell me you're not leaving."

"No," Oliver replied, still facing the door. "Far from it."

"Ollie," Chloe said as she placed her hand on his back. "You don't have to apologize or anything. I get it."

Turning around, Oliver smiled at Chloe, leaning down to touch his forehead to hers. "I'm glad to hear it, but what I really want is to say the one thing I hadn't said tonight."

"What's that?"

"Thank you," he whispered.

Chloe's eyes fluttered, as the gratitude was nice to hear, certainly better than she was expecting, but she couldn't figure out what was on his mind. "For what?"

"For… everything." After placing a hand on her hip, bringing her closer, Oliver threaded his other hand through her hair. "The invite, dealing with my hesitance, convincing me to stay. I keep trying not to screw up, but you seem to let me get away with everything even if what I think I should do is wrong."

She watched him as his eyes had closed, almost in shame, but Chloe wasn't having any of that. This was no time for self-doubt. Stroking his chin with her fingertips, she saw his eyes open again, so Chloe ensured that he saw her smile. "The thing is Oliver, when you think you're doing the wrong thing, you say it to me in the right way... and you let me change your mind."

It was almost like clockwork, the way he would light up once he knew that they were on the same page. But the best part was that he was still Oliver. He was still a powerful CEO, he knew when to put his foot down and show every side of the man that she had fallen for.

All that showed was that he was committed to this relationship, which was all Chloe needed to know. "We're still figuring things out and that's fine. I'm actually enjoying that part."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Chloe's smile widened as she took a step back, not appreciating the resulting draft she felt, but she knew that they couldn't stand like that forever. "Just don't stop being honest with me, okay? As long as I know what's going on, we can fix it."

"I can deal with that," Oliver replied, taking her hand before she took another step back. "But that goes both ways."

"I know." Chloe nodded before looking down at their hands, his thumb gently massaging her palm. "Is Clark playing nice?"

"He is," Oliver said, deciding to let go of her hand so that he could sit down on the porch steps and stare out at the night sky. "I know I've only seen the beginning... but it's a really nice tradition you guys have. It means so much that you want me to be a part of it. New Year's for me usually consists of a much different picture."

Chloe could only imagine, as the starlight of the countryside was likely a lot different from the bright lights of the clubs and the big cities. "Well, it'll be different this year because you're not alone." Sitting down next to him, Chloe leaned her head against his shoulder before linking their arms together. "This time, it'll be you and me against the world."

Oliver's eyes widened as she knew exactly what she was saying. Chloe had to know that he remembered her telling him that, even if it was months ago. Like he told Clark, he shouldn't be surprised by Chloe anymore, but since they started dating, it seemed like the only thing that didn't stop was the ability for her to make him happy. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"Yeah, I do," Chloe said, her smile widening as they settled on the steps, having a feeling that this would be part of their own tradition.

~0~

They would sit on those steps for about twenty minutes until Lois called them in for dinner. She hadn't wanted to call them, as Lois was so glad to see Chloe this happy, especially during the holidays, but Oliver had come for the tradition after all.

To no one's surprise, Oliver fit right in. It almost felt like he had always been a part of this night, as the four of them naturally conversed over dinner, relaxed as they watched the usual movies, but now, this was the time they were all waiting for.

Standing in the field, a fair distance from the farmhouse, Oliver and Clark stood back while Chloe and Lois fought over which fireworks to use first. "Do they do this every year?"

"Pretty much," Clark said with a grin.

Eventually, it appeared that Lois had won out, as after Chloe shook her head, she stood back up so that she could walk over to where the guys were standing. "Apparently... I'm not spending enough time with my new boyfriend."

"Well, I certainly won't object to your company," Oliver replied, wrapping his arms around Chloe's waist, waiting patiently as Lois finished up.

Once she did, she ran back to Clark's side, giving him a kiss just in time for the blue, red and green streaks to light up the sky.

That was also a tradition, the kiss at midnight, and they couldn't ask for a much better site. No cameras, no flurried questions, and a beautiful back-drop. But instead, they stayed where they were. This time, the fact that they were both here enjoying each other's company, that was enough. Both Chloe and Oliver knew that this moment also marked a new beginning for them, and instead of running from it, they wanted to enjoy every second of it.

~End~

Sera's Scribbles: I really hope everyone enjoyed the ending. This story has been an interesting journey over the past ten months, but I think it's been one that I can be proud of. Some of that is thanks to the beautiful words I have recieved from you, so from the bottom of my heart... thank you :)