Author's Note: Something really short.
Disclaimer: I don't own Arrow.
Birthday
He woke up at his usual time in the morning. Immediately his right hand moved to the other side of the bed which was empty. It was his birthday. 89 years. He couldn't believe he was still alive because of all the things he had experienced in his life; he shipwrecked, he was the Arrow and the Mayor. But the biggest challenge was to be a friend, a husband, a father, a grandfather and lately a great-grandfather. He was loved and loved all the people who were close to him.
He was healthy for his age, but the years and his secret live had done their work. His left knee didn't work well anymore, so he had to use a walking stick. His old injuries hurt more and more with every day that passed, but he had years of experience with pain and knew how to keep going despite of them. Stretching helped him a lot, so he did that every morning in bed when he woke up even on his birthday.
Soon the house which they had found during a walk on a lazy Sunday afternoon would be full of laughter. But before he prepared himself for his party he remembered the picture of her in front of her tablet when she found the owner of the house within a few seconds. Immediately they called him and offered far too much money for it because they wanted it so badly. The contract was signed the following day. They started to work on it with the help of their friends. And it got more and more their home until they were finally done and moved in.
The housewarming party was a small event with their families and their closest friends. It was the perfect moment for his proposal after their first try hadn't worked out and to tell the guests that the house would be filled with more life soon. The wedding happened a few weeks later in the backyard of their home. It was a small event. Although he was the Mayor no press was allowed. They wanted it this way, it was perfect.
Nearly 6 months later Maggie was born and he loved her from the first moment he saw her. She was the heir of his family, he saw it in the little girl like his father must have seen it the moment he had laid eyes on him. He took his family home a few days later and the life they had lived until that moment was over. Everything changed. Foremost they had to take care of their family, the nighttime-activities came in second place since then.
Barely one and half year later David was born. When he held him for the first time he cried until there were no more tears he could cry. It was the last time anyone saw him crying although he had cried often since then. That day he knew he had to settle down, the life he had lived so far was over. His loyal companion became the Green Arrow while he just was a father and the mayor. He didn't miss his alter ego for a second.
The children grew up and left the house but they returned often. At first they took their friends with them before they became their spouses. Then they started to build their own family and he became a grandfather. A few weeks ago his first great-grandchild was born. Whenever they visited him the house was filled with laughter again and he enjoyed every minute of it.
But the time of thoughts about the past was over, it was time to get up and to start his day. It was time to celebrate his birthday. So he got into a sitting position and stretched his muscles once more. He looked through the bedroom which they had decorated together and stopped in his movement when he saw her and a smile spread all over his face. He took his walking stick, got up and supported himself on it. When he looked up again she stood still in the door and smiled at him brightly. She wore a white long dress, similar to her wedding gown. Her arms were spread and welcomed him. So he walked towards her and embraced her.
"I've missed you." He told her and left her embrace. Then he took her hand and followed her into the light.