xii. misjudged

"Hi, we're here for William Clayton." Julia blurted out to the receptionist at the hospital.

"Mia, Julia." Connor found the two first, hugging them both tightly.

"What happened?" Mia questioned him.

"We don't know. He's still unconscious." Connor led the two to William's room, taking Mia to the cafeteria while leaving Julia there. She pulled up a chair and stayed by William's side until he regained consciousness.

"Clayton, the one time I forgot to tell you not to die." Julia joked, brushing her hand through his hair.

"Hey Julia, good to see you too." He smiled weakly.

"What the hell happened?"

"Two rent-a-thugs were beating up a kid in an alleyway. No older than 16. They got in a few punches, but I managed to take them down. Until one of them pulled out a gun and shot me."

"You could have called for backup." Julia scolded.

Using all his energy, he shrugged. "It would have been too late. I saved the kid. I'm proud of that."

"I'm proud of you Clayton. Just wish it didn't come at the cost of you getting beaten to a pulp." She smiled weakly at her own remark.

"Sorry if I interrupted something." He pointed to the hickies on Julia's neck.

"Yeah Clayton, why did you have to ruin our sexy time?" Mia's voice came from behind them.

William, at a loss for words, didn't get a word in before Julia spoke. "She's messing with you."

"I already called Felicity. She's on her way here."

"Sorry, did you say your mother is coming here?" Julia asked her, eyes wide. Felicity and Julia had one run in before-the situation with Chien Na Wei

"Yeah, she'll be here in a few hou-hours. Oh shit." Mia finally realized what her girlfriend was getting at.

"I mean, maybe it would just be best if we didn't tell her. Just for now." Mia told her girlfriend gently.

William cleared his throat, reminding the two that they were in his hospital room. "This was a moment you guys should have had in private."

"Too bad we didn't." Julia remarked snarkily. "I'll hide out in your apartment until you can get rid of her."

XXX

"Mom, hi." Mia smiled at her mother.

"Where's William?"

"He's sleeping right now." Mia nodded, looking at her phone, where she had just received a text.

My forever girl💕

How's it going over there?

"You have a girlfriend?" Felicity asked, peering at her daughter's phone. There went the 'master plan.' "Why didn't you tell me? I would love to meet her."

"Umm, well you know mom, we've only been dating for a little while and I didn't want to scare her off." Mia excused herself dismissively.

"Oh nonsense. William's sleeping, let's go see her now."

Mia had no other choice. "Uh, sure."

TO: My forever girl 💕

SOS-My mom saw the text and she wants to "meet" you. Be prepared. Love you

XXX

FROM: My angel💘

SOS-My mom saw the text and she wants to "meet" you. Be prepared. Love you

"I am so screwed." Julia muttered to herself, deciding it best to attempt to make a better second impression on Mia's mother.

"Babe, we're here!" She heard Mia call from downstairs soon after.

Julia came downstairs, prepared for anything-or so she thought. The last thing she expected was for Felicity to slap her in the face.

"I deserved that." Julia groaned, holding her cheek.

"You deserve so much worse. It was one thing to be working with China White, but my daughter. You're one sick son of a bitch."

Julia couldn't help but laugh. "In that case, John Diggle and Lyla Michaels are bitches." Felicity glanced back at Mia.

"It's true. They're her parents."

"Do they know?" She turned back to the woman she had pledged hate against.

"That I'm they're daughter? Yes. That I'm dating Mia? No. We haven't told anyone besides William."

"And we didn't even tell him. He found Jules at my door at 7AM." Mia corrected her girlfriend.

"Well, there's nothing to tell." Felicity said sternly.

"Mom-"

"No. I don't want to hear it Mia. This woman has put us all through hell. And I don't approve."

Julia took the hint, gathering her belongings, much to Mia's dismay. "Julia."

"No, don't worry Mia." Julia assured her girlfriend. "You spend time with your mother. I'll go back to my apartment. Okay?"

XXX

Once Julia finally got to her apartment, she was surprised to see a note on her door.

Julia,

Landlord handed over the property to some asshat. Tripled the rent. I can't afford it. I already moved my stuff out. I recommend you do the same. Good luck.

-Jamie

Julia punched her door, not thinking the day could be any worse. Unfortunately, she was wrong.

XXX

"What the hell mom?" Mia yelled once the door closed behind Julia.

"She's put our family through so much. She's just using you." Felicity screamed back.

"How dare you? I don't get one phone call for 3 years and then you just waltz back in and tell me the woman I love is using me."

"She's evil and manipulative."

"Maybe she used to be, but that's not her anymore. You know her from years ago. I know her now. She's different. And if you don't want her, I'm not sure you can have me either."

"You don't mean that." Felicity shook her head.

"Oh, but I do."

XXX

Julia was forced to move her essentials into the storage room in the back of the arrowcave. The last thing she wanted was for Mia to know. She missed Mia's call while moving boxes, but did stop to listen to the voicemail soon after.

VOICEMAIL FROM: My angel💘

"Hey babe, I just wanted to let you know that I'm not losing you. I gave my mom an ultimatum. She gets both of us or neither of us. I promised you when we started dating that I wouldn't let your history or my history between us. That is a promise I intend to keep. I love you. Please just call me back so we can figure this out."